[simonhch]

I should really go back and find some of my early posts on Zirkzee. So many were writing him off saying what utter dogshit he was. And I'll admit I had the odd game where I was enormously frustrated with him, but I said, over and over, he's young, he's getting used to the league, you have to give him time. At least give him this full season and then have another look at him next year once he's gotten used to the league, the country, Amorim's demands etc. We are just so quick to write players off, and in the most vitriolic terms.

So with that said, I am delighted by his recent performances. He's steadily been getting better and better every week for the last 4-6 weeks; and against Sociedad he was simply fantastic. You could always see he had a silky touch and vision, but nothing seemed to come together for him, he was palpably lacking in confidence. On thursday however, he looked a player full to the brim with confidence, and he tore them apart. He was knitting everything together. Coming deep and picking up the ball, running at and past people, pulling off all sorts of tricks. Had some beautiful passes, not least the instant pass that set Dorgu away for the red card. I think this lad is at the very worst going to be a very good squad player for us. A player who can come on and make a real difference, because he has that unpredictable element to him. He is by all accounts an incredibly hard worker and trainer, so at the very best I think he can be one of the best 10s in the league. Whether he will get there I don't know, but I am very happy to see him proving so many people wrong. Long may it continue.

 

[Marwood]

I should really go back and find some of my early posts on Zirkzee. So many were writing him off saying what utter dogshit he was. And I'll admit I had the odd game where I was enormously frustrated with him, but I said, over and over, he's young, he's getting used to the league, you have to give him time. At least give him this full season and then have another look at him next year once he's gotten used to the league, the country, Amorim's demands etc. We are just so quick to write players off, and in the most vitriolic terms.

So with that said, I am delighted by his recent performances. He's steadily been getting better and better every week for the last 4-6 weeks; and against Sociedad he was simply fantastic. You could always see he had a silky touch and vision, but nothing seemed to come together for him, he was palpably lacking in confidence. On thursday however, he looked a player full to the brim with confidence, and he tore them apart. He was knitting everything together. Coming deep and picking up the ball, running at and past people, pulling off all sorts of tricks. Had some beautiful passes, not least the instant pass that set Dorgu away for the red card. I think this lad is at the very worst going to be a very good squad player for us. A player who can come on and make a real difference, because he has that unpredictable element to him. He is by all accounts an incredibly hard worker and trainer, so at the very best I think he can be one of the best 10s in the league. Whether he will get there I don't know, but I am very happy to see him proving so many people wrong. Long may it continue.

He turned up heavy and without the required fitness. He can't be that hard a worker and trainer.

According to Amorim just recently he has slimmed down and picked up some speed. Kind of ridiculous really it's taken this long. That's not somebody who by all accounts is a great trainer.

Glad that he has got himself in shape and it seems he's just recently learning what top level football is about.

But he's got loads to do. Prove to us he can keep up this level of fitness and application. Nobody has been proved wrong by a few weeks of decent performances.

And get some goals! Bits of nice control and turns won't win games.

 

[Grande]

So not like Zlatan.

Well deduced!

 

[Grande]

Yeah, I just think that fans in general are waaaay too quick to write a player off. Countless players have been deemed “never good enough” just to be praised the next game by the same fans.

Tyler Dibling is a no-brainer and the next Mo Salah, if United don’t buy him someone should get fired, it’s a travesty, and btw he is too lightweight and lacks end product will end in tears we should sell now before nobody will touch him mark my words!!!

 

[Mick1]

That's fair enough, but it still doesn't explain why the club signed somebody with such little goal threat when Hojilund was and still is so incredibly raw. Zirkzee showing potential is great, but I don't agree with bailing the club out by claiming they had some kind of foresight. We needed a striker last summer, nobody can possibly argue with that given the season we've just endured.

Because with Rashford/ Garnacho playing as Inside forwards and Bruno capable of running past the striker, a typical 9 would be starved of service, as we saw with Hojlund.. You re better off having a Firminho/younger Benzema/prime Rooney type deep lying striker that allows runners off him.

An Attackers role is not just to score, an attackers role is to help the team score even if they don't do it themselves.