Joshua Zirkzee was loudly jeered by fans at Old Trafford as he was subbed off in the first-half of Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle, treatment Gary Neville described as ‘brutal’ for the misfiring striker.
The game was going disastrously for Ruben Amorim’s team, finding themselves 2-0 down to the Magpies after just 19 minutes thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
Eddie Howe’s visiting team were comfortably on top and Amorim made a change just 33 minutes into the contest as he looked to gain some form of control.
The manager chose to substitute Zirkzee and replace him with Kobbie Mainoo, a decision which provoked an embarrassing reaction from the crowd for the Dutch striker.
The summer signing was jeered off the field and quickly left the substitutes’ bench to head down the tunnel amid the stinging reaction.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville was on Sky Sports commentary and offered sympathy for Zirkzee, saying he has never seen an Old Trafford crowd react to one of their own players in that way.
‘I actually feel sorry for him, I really do,’ said Neville. ‘I know he’s earning a lot of money here, but there is a human being in there that’s basically been cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal.
‘I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years I’ve been coming here, if at all, actually.’
As Zirkzee walked down the tunnel, Neville added: ‘He’s had enough and I actually don’t blame him. It’s massive embarrassment.
‘He’s not played well, let’s be clear. But they’ve all been absolutely awful.’
The former full-back then unleased a damning assessment of Amorim’s side, saying: ‘You are watching the worst pound-for-pound Football team in the country, bar none.’
Zirkzee did return to the bench shortly after initially heading down the tunnel.
The Dutchman has struggled since arriving from Bologna over the summer, scoring four goals in all competitions, but he has been playing in a side which is also finding it very difficult to perform.
The Red Devils came into the meeting with Newcastle 14th in the Premier League table and looked out of their depth in the first half against Howe’s team.
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