Man Utd bounced back from the Everton defeat to claim a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Zirkzee was poor in the first half - but scored an important goal in the second.
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Ruben Amorim hurried to the Selhurst Park dressing room at half-time. Manchester United were trailing 1-0 after an awful first half. Whatever Amorim said to the players worked when play resumed.
The good work of October was in danger of being undone by an awful November, but United clawed their way back into the game, winning the battle of endurance against a tired Crystal Palace. The season is a marathon and it was crucial United stopped the rot, and they did in Croydon after a concerning first half.
United had won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games - against Liverpool at Anfield last month. Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Amorim admitted he didn't know why his team struggles on the road, but he said that his players need to learn how to "finish games".
Amorim axed Patrick Dorgu from his starting line-up following his admission that he senses "anxiety" from the defender when he's on the ball. Diogo Dalot came into the team, but the Portugal international has also been unconvincing at left wing-back this season.
Shea Lacey, 18, was the only attacking option on the bench. Kobbie Mainoo has played as a No.10 in Amorim's system, but the United boss has confirmed he views him as a deep midfielder. Only Arsenal (six) had conceded fewer goals than Palace (nine) in the Premier League this season, and United had been hopeless in the final third against Everton earlier in the week.
But United still had no excuse not to pose a threat on Sunday. Palace were in European action against Strasbourg in France on Thursday, meaning they had just two days to prepare, compared to United's five days of preparation at Carrington, so the Reds rocked up to Selhurst Park with an immediate advantage.
Bryan Mbeumo gave Amad a pat on the back as the players returned to the dressing room to prepare for kick-off. Amad assisted Mbeumo against Liverpool and Tottenham, and it felt like their relationship could be key again. As it turned out, United managed to claim a win despite the pair not being at their best.
Dalot contributed more in the first 30 seconds than Dorgu had in 58 minutes against Everton, launching a long throw-in into the box, which Casemiro remarkably did not find the net from.
The away section belted out '12 Days of Cantona' for two obvious reasons: December is now just around the corner and United were playing at the scene of the infamous kung fu kick.
Amorim looked frustrated as Palace began to carve out opportunities. He paced up and down the touchline and was reminded by the fourth official to stay within his area. Then Mbeumo was shown a yellow card for throwing the ball to the ground, clearly frustrated at how the game was unfolding.
Adam Wharton sent a shot straight at Senne Lammens from the edge of the box, Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a sitter after a mistake from Yoro, and Yeremy Pino was stunned to see his effort blocked by Yoro in a later move. Yoro managed to redeem himself for his blunder leading to Mateta's chance.
Mateta continued to ask questions. He bullied Matthijs de Ligt and drew another mistake from Yoro, who needlessly fouled him in the box from a position that was never going to yield a clean challenge.
The penalty was converted - but there was a double touch and VAR ordered it to be retaken. That rule needs to change because the opponent should not be given another bite at the cherry after botching the first penalty. Nonetheless, Mateta scored his second penalty.
"Boom, boom, Mateta's in the room," was chanted twice to the tune of the Vengaboys hit. The double embarrassment should have sparked a response, but the white shirts limped into the interval. Amad and Mbeumo were not at the races, and United do not tend to fire when the pair underperform.
Luke Shaw shook his head as the whistle went for half-time. Shaw has been at United for 11 years and was making just his 300th appearance for the club. The defender has played for five permanent managers during his time at Old Trafford and might have been close to playing for another if the Reds had not completed a comeback. There will not be another inquest come on Monday morning.
Amorim made two changes and both had the desired effect. Dalot had a great game and Mason Mount finished brilliantly to fire United into a 2-1 lead. It was a brave decision from Amorim to stick with Joshua Zirkzee, but even that call was vindicated by the Dutchman's well-taken half-volley to equalise.
Zirkzee's shot had to be powerful to beat Dean Henderson - and it was. Zirkzee has not looked like a striker since his arrival from Bologna, but he will be alright if he can score more goals like that for United.
The Everton performance was shocking and Amorim needed to produce an answer. He did.