Manchester United fans showered Joshua Zirkzee with praise after his impactful cameo helped inspire a 3-1 comeback victory against Southampton on Thursday night.
After a lackluster first half, with United trailing by a goal, manager Ruben Amorim opted to substitute Rasmus Hojlund for Zirkzee in the 53rd minute.
The £36.5 million summer signing quickly began to trouble Southampton as United intensified their efforts, leading to Amad Diallo scoring a hat-trick in the final 10 minutes to secure all three points.
While Diallo received plenty of accolades post-match, United supporters were eager to recognize Zirkzee’s role just 17 days after he had been jeered off in the 33rd minute of their previous home match against Newcastle.
“Zirkzee deserves huge credit for tonight; when he came on, he delivered,” one fan wrote on X. “Game changer.”
Another noted, “Put some respect on Joshua Zirkzee’s name. He may not have a goal or an assist, but he completely changed this game for Manchester United.”
Fans claimed Zirkzee was pivotal in turning the tide against Southampton.
Coming off the bench with United down 1-0, Zirkzee contributed to their eventual 3-1 victory.
After being jeered off against Newcastle, he has begun to win back supporters.
One fan remarked that Zirkzee and Diallo were the only players who could leave Old Trafford with their heads held high.
“Amad will obviously get all the praise, but Zirkzee changed the game tonight. It was a dreadful performance overall, but those two were positives,” they stated.
Zirkzee has seen limited action since arriving from Bologna, and his United career seemed to be at a crossroads after his poor showing against Newcastle.
However, he became a hero against Arsenal in the FA Cup, converting the winning penalty in the shootout, and impressed again on Thursday.
One fan suggested he should start ahead of Hojlund now that he’s found form.
“Zirkzee should be starting ahead of Hojlund indefinitely,” they asserted on X.
“He actually provided something useful and helped United advance up the pitch, connecting the team much better and being more involved throughout the game.”
Meanwhile, one supporter claimed Zirkzee and Diallo were the only United players who could leave Old Trafford with their heads held high.
‘Amad obviously going to get all the plaudits, but it was Zirkzee tonight who changed the game. Dreadful performance if we’re honest. But those 2 are positives,’ they wrote.
Zirkzee has been used sparingly since joining from Bologna, and his United career already appeared to be at a crossroads after his dismal performance against Newcastle that saw fans turn on him.
But he was United’s hero on the weekend against Arsenal in the FA Cup as he slotted home the winning penalty in the shootout, and he impressed again on Thursday night.
One fan insisted he should now be starting games ahead of Hojlund after finally finding form.
‘Zirkzee should be indefinitely starting ahead of Hojlund,’ they claimed on X.
‘Actually provided something of note and got United up the pitch. Connects the team far better and far more involved throughout the game.’