Manchester United fans have been criticizing one of their players for his underwhelming performance against Nottingham Forest tonight, especially after he had promised to improve before the international break.
Manchester United’s latest match has once again brought scrutiny onto a particular player, strongly believed to be Joshua Zirkzee, who had vowed to elevate his performances following the international break but fell short when it mattered most. The disappointment was magnified as United registered over 22 shots on goal yet failed to find the back of the net, with Zirkzee squandering at least six golden opportunities, including a shocking miss in front of an open goal.
The game, which kicked off at 12:00 PM PDT (8:00 PM BST), saw Nottingham Forest take the lead early through former United winger Anthony Elanga, who produced a dazzling solo effort within the first five minutes. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances—highlighted by Diogo Dalot rattling the crossbar—United’s inefficiency in front of goal left fans infuriated, with much of their frustration directed at Zirkzee’s wastefulness.
Manager Ruben Amorim’s frustration was clear from the sidelines, where he was seen gesturing angrily and seemingly voicing his discontent over the striker’s lack of composure. Supporters took to social media to express their disappointment, with one trending post on X lamenting how Zirkzee had promised goals after the break only to miss an open net in a crucial moment.
Operating as the focal point in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system alongside Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, Zirkzee’s inconsistent form has become a growing concern, managing just three goals in 29 league outings. This match was supposed to be an opportunity for him to silence critics, but his inability to capitalize on clear chances has only intensified calls for Rasmus Højlund, who remains on the bench, to be reinstated as the starting forward.
United’s struggles this season have only added to the frustration, with the team languishing in 13th place on 37 points. A response was expected, particularly against a Forest side seeking a rare league double over United, something last achieved in 1992. However, Nottingham Forest’s disciplined defensive approach, coupled with the speed of Elanga and the creativity of Morgan Gibbs-White, kept United at bay.
As the match neared its conclusion around 2:00 PM PDT, pressure continued to mount on Amorim to find solutions, but the spotlight remained firmly on Zirkzee. His failure to deliver when it mattered most has left fans questioning his place in the squad, and whether this moment becomes a turning point in his United career or a further wedge between him and the supporters remains uncertain.
