Manchester United suffered their sixth defeat in a single calendar month, equaling an unwanted club record, as Newcastle claimed a dominant 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. The Magpies controlled the match and took an early lead within 20 minutes, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
In a bid to prevent further damage, United manager Ruben Amorim made a tactical change, replacing Joshua Zirkzee, who had been deployed on the left wing, with Kobbie Mainoo. The substitution sparked sarcastic cheers from the home supporters, a reaction that drew sharp criticism from former United captain Gary Neville during his commentary.
Visibly affected by the incident, Zirkzee donned his jacket and headed towards the tunnel but eventually returned to the bench. According to a Sky Germany journalist present in the tunnel, the Dutch forward appeared to have “tears in his eyes” after enduring the public humiliation.
Amorim addressed the controversial substitution in his post-match interview, expressing regret over the tough decision while praising Zirkzee’s resilience. “It’s always about balancing the team’s needs and the player’s well-being,” he explained. “Josh was struggling, and the team needed reinforcement in midfield. It wasn’t an easy choice, but I spoke to him afterward to ensure he understood my reasoning. He’s a great character, and we’ll continue to support him.”
Neville was critical of the crowd’s behavior, describing the sarcastic applause as “brutal.” He remarked, “I genuinely feel for Joshua Zirkzee. Yes, he’s a professional earning a significant salary, but he’s also a human being. To be jeered off by your own fans is harsh. I’ve rarely seen anything like this at Old Trafford in all my years.” While he acknowledged Zirkzee’s underwhelming performance, Neville noted that the entire team had failed to deliver.
Zirkzee, who signed a five-year deal during the summer transfer window, has struggled to make an impact, scoring only four goals in 25 appearances across all competitions. Rumors have already started swirling about a potential departure from the club.
