[mctrials23]

His issue is he still looks languid and wants to play far too slowly far too often. He needs to realise that the PL is a fast any physical league and you can't be wafting around the pitch and dithering.

Nice link up and has a good first touch and generally looks sound technically most of the time but against teams that press and harry he doesn't seem to have the energy levels or ability to put himself about at all.

 

[FrankWhite]

Hands up who kept faith

I am absolutely here to collect my flowers. Give them up people!

 

[Rojofiam]

This is what being a "9.5" or a facilitator means. We have a lot of good players who weren't platformed correctly under ETH which lead a lot of football fans to believe our squad is awful. Zirkzee is one of these players. Good performance today, because the system allowed him to perform well.

 

[Chief123]

If he scores two goals in a game the mood on here will change drastically.

Hello sir!

 

[Poborsky's hair]

Great pass, vision, hold up play and flicks, all that hes got on hojlund.

 

[afrocentricity]

This is what being a "9.5" or a facilitator means. We have a lot of good players who weren't platformed correctly under ETH which lead a lot of football fans to believe our squad is awful. Zirkzee is one of these players. Good performance today, because the system allowed him to perform well.

I'm actually confused at what it was ETH was trying to do.... anyway, I'm going to pretend all of that never happened. I like Amorim. He seems to have gotten a good grasp of what our players can do and how to fit the pieces together....

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

In a good system, these are the types of chances a #9 gets.

 

[Rojofiam]

I'm actually confused at what it was ETH was trying to do.... anyway, I'm going to pretend all of that never happened. I like Amorim. He seems to have gotten a good grasp of what our players can do and how to fit the pieces together....

Keeping Rashford deep and next to the touchline, playing Zirkzee as a target man, signing Onana just to disregard possession, playing Bruno and Mainoo way too deep, etc.

I'd say almost the whole squad, especially last season, were instructed to basically not do what they're the best at and were given suboptimal roles instead by ETH.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I thought he was brilliant today. His build up play is superb. You have to allow for his lack of dynamism because he is a fulcrum to play off.

 

[reelworld]

I thought besides his linkup play he also show good strength in holding up the ball and physical duel with Everton centerbacks. Quality finishes too

 

[pocco]

Fair play, he did well in the second half today. He’s another of ours who looks like they’re gaining confidence under Amorim. I still think in the long run he’ll be gone as there’s too many things he’s not able to do that I think are pretty key.

 

[afrocentricity]

I thought he was brilliant today. His build up play is superb. You have to allow for his lack of dynamism because he is a fulcrum to play off.

I would expect as he gets used to the intensity of the league and his fitness increases, that this should improve.

Keeping Rashford deep and next to the touchline, playing Zirkzee as a target man, signing Onana just to disregard possession, playing Bruno and Mainoo way too deep, etc.

I'd say almost the whole squad, especially last season, were instructed to basically not do what they're the best at and were given suboptimal roles instead by ETH.

Agreed 100%

 

[Andycoleno9]

Anyone noticed his hold up play style? He doesn't wrestle with defenders. He finds himself in position to receive a ball and immediately he makes a pass.

 

[Shabby as she goes]

His issue is he still looks languid and wants to play far too slowly far too often. He needs to realise that the PL is a fast any physical league and you can't be wafting around the pitch and dithering.

Nice link up and has a good first touch and generally looks sound technically most of the time but against teams that press and harry he doesn't seem to have the energy levels or ability to put himself about at all.

That flick leading up to the 3-0 was a massive acceleration of the game, and so was for example that back heel pass

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Absolutely delighted for him. 2 goals is great but he also played very well.

 

[Grande]

Absolutely delighted for him. 2 goals is great but he also played very well.

He has Scholes’ Eyes in the back of his head

 

[Dans]

Credit where it's due, he did well today. It was against a pretty poor Everton side though and I'll reserve judgement for a few more games.

 

[Mike Smalling]

The third goal can be credited almost entirely to him after that quick release of Amad. Great pass. And in terms of the goals, it's just another example that once we provide chances to our strikers, they can score. Same with Rashford today and Højlund last time out.

 

[Van Piorsing]

All strikers scored this week, good thing.

Him scoring makes it even greater thing.

 

[MadDogg]

I'm actually confused at what it was ETH was trying to do....

I think pretty much everyone was confused about what ETH was trying to do...including the players.

 

[vivavic]

Happy for him. Linked the play well, the #10 position might actualy suits him

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He reminded me of the title of Juan Mata's book...

Spoiler

 

[Red_toad]

Credit to Ruben for getting him and Rashford to play in tandem, both looked good and complimented eachother.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

His touch was much improved, and his link-up play was generally excellent throughout the game.

Credit to Amorim for recognising that Zirkzee thrives when dropping deep to receive the ball. However, that approach only works if there are players making runs in behind, and in Rashford, we had exactly that.

It was great to see him bag a brace today. Hopefully, he can build on this performance. With the packed schedule ahead, he'll undoubtedly be called upon frequently, so it's crucial he keeps contributing as he did today. A very encouraging display overall.

 

[Berbasbullet]

That pass for the 3rd goal oh my god!

 

[Posh Red]

He reminded me of the title of Juan Mata's book...

Spoiler

 

[Trophy Room]

I thought he was shit, today he was great!

 

[Rojofiam]

Agreed 100%

Seems like Amorim agrees as well

 

[dubplate warrior]

His issue is he still looks languid and wants to play far too slowly far too often. He needs to realise that the PL is a fast any physical league and you can't be wafting around the pitch and dithering.

Nice link up and has a good first touch and generally looks sound technically most of the time but against teams that press and harry he doesn't seem to have the energy levels or ability to put himself about at all.

Play him in the right position then. As a false 9 it allows him the freedom to knit play together.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Really good game all around.

 

[redshaw]

Top quality today. From the start he looked more comfortable in his role and less pressure to start making those passes again.

 

[McGrathsipan]

He reminded me of the title of Juan Mata's book...

Spoiler

Brilliant

 

[zapp]

Pleased for him. Really need our players playing with confidence. Hopefully he can kick on from here.

I've not been convinced by him this season but I put that down to the disaster under ETH. New manager new start.

 

[RedRocket9908]

Got POTM on BBC Sport, hopefully he keeps improving

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

He’s so clearly gifted with the ball at his feet. But his style is generally suboptimal for the PL so it can be hard for him to shine. Today was great. If he can just add more intensity into his general play and approach I think he could be great, because you can clearly see he does things many other forwards can’t with his distribution and eye for combination play.

 

[Marwood]

Seems like Amorim agrees as well

For all the analysis of tactics today the basics are still contribute the most.

Allow players to do what they're good at. Brian Clough was saying this decades ago. It might not still work out for the player or the team but this kind of thing gives you a shot at least.

 

[tenpoless]

Done well today but as a false 9. Most of the time we play with an actual 9 I think.

 

[#07]

I have been vocal about my lack of belief in Zirkzee. I am glad to have been shown up today. Hopefully he kicks on from here and makes me look a right plum.

I don't see him as a 20 goal season striker so I'd be delighted if he went and bagged that and more!

 

[Chairman Steve]

He reminds me of Berbatov and I think he can work in this system as the front man or one of the two 10s.

 

[Martial'sEmergingSmile]

Always been on the Z-Train - but I still think it takes him a season to really find any consistency and for the league to really slow down for him. Works much better in the space behind a forward than as one though.