Thierry Henry fumes as he expresses disappointment with one Man United player who lost possession more than every other player on the pitch against Everton.
Manchester United may have taken all three points against Everton, but the post-match discussion quickly drifted away from the win and zeroed in on one player. Joshua Zirkzee’s display has sparked one of the loudest debates of United’s season, with analysts and fans dissecting every aspect of his performance.
The young forward lost the ball more than anyone else on the pitch, a detail that immediately set off alarms across TV studios, fan spaces, and tactical breakdowns online. Words like “concerning,” “off the pace,” and “not up to Manchester United’s level” were thrown around with little hesitation.
One outspoken pundit, known for his sharp football insight and blunt delivery, delivered a verdict that echoed the ruthless style of Thierry Henry’s analysis. His comment spread like wildfire:
“How this guy is still starting when Rashford and Garnacho are battling for spots is shocking. You can’t keep giving the ball away like this at Manchester United.”
Those words lit up social media, pushing the conversation about Zirkzee’s role and form into overdrive.
Emotion aside, the numbers from the match did him no favours, reinforcing the belief that he is struggling to adapt to the tempo and demands of the team. For a forward expected to thrive in a system built on quick combinations, intensity, and constant pressure, the gap between expectation and reality was difficult to ignore.
Supporters themselves are torn. Some insist he simply needs more time to settle and grow. But many others believe he is beginning to weigh the team down, especially when they compare his output to players like Garnacho, Rashford, and Højlund — players fighting tooth and nail to keep their place in the starting XI. Online reactions summed it up:
“He looks too casual.”
“Why does he lose possession every game?”
“We can’t keep carrying him.”
“Garnacho brings way more energy.”
“He’s skilled, but this form isn’t good enough.”
Patience is wearing thin, and frustration is spreading.
Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford with enormous excitement surrounding his creativity and flair, but the Premier League’s demands are brutal, and right now, the issue isn’t talent — it’s form. His recent showings have highlighted a worrying dip in confidence and execution at a time when United need their forwards firing consistently.
This has inevitably led to comparisons with Rashford and Garnacho, two players working relentlessly to maintain their places. Many supporters now wonder how long Zirkzee can continue starting ahead of them if the performances don’t improve. It’s a selection dilemma Ruben Amorim must manage carefully to maintain fairness and harmony in the dressing room.
What happens next rests entirely on Zirkzee. The spotlight on him is brighter than ever, and the next set of fixtures will reveal whether he can shake off this slump or whether the pressure will keep mounting. He needs to respond with sharpness, urgency, and the quality United believed they were signing.
The noise around him is getting louder. The criticism is getting harsher. And the expectations are getting heavier.
This moment could define the next chapter of Joshua Zirkzee’s United career. The pundits have voiced their concerns, the statistics aren’t flattering, and the supporters are growing impatient. With competition for attacking places intensifying, he cannot afford many more performances like this.
Right now, almost everyone is complaining about his dip in form — and the pressure is rising fast.
