Joshua Zirkzee has been dealt a hammer blow by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, who has revealed that he believes that the Manchester United striker isn't up to the mark to play for his national team as . Zirkzee was part of the Dutch squad that made it to the semi-finals at Euro 2024, earning his place due to his performance for Bologna.
The 23-year-old made his debut for the senior international team during the quarter-final win over Turkey and was substituted on in the final moments of the semi-final loss to England. He played four more times during the autumn internationals, scoring his first goal for Netherlands in a UEFA Nations League victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, he won't be participating in the Nations League quarter-finals against Spain, as Koeman has excluded him from the preliminary squad. It's been a challenging season for Zirkzee, who has only netted three times in 28 Premier League games since signing for the Red Devils.
Despite breaking his European duck in the recent draw with Real Sociedad, Koeman decision will be a tough pill to swallow for the forward.
Explaining his decision, the Oranje boss told Studio Voetbal: "He wasn't in the preliminary selection because I don't think he's good enough at the moment. Especially scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong.
"Yes, in principle form and fitness are always leading, but that is not always possible. We have a lot of central defenders and midfielders, but we are somewhat limited up front. But even then, I still think that you have to earn your selection, and I think he doesn't deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period."
The Premier League is rife with talent as Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert are named in Koeman’s squad options. Surprisingly, Corinthians striker Memphis Depay could don the national colours for the first time since his move to Brazil.
Despite Zirkzee not finding the back of the net in the Premier League following his double against Everton in December, an injury-hit United has limited head coach Ruben Amorim's choices, forcing the Red Devils to name the No. 11 in his starting XI for the fourth consecutive when they faced Arsenal over the weekend. With six goals in 42 appearances this season in all competitions, Zirkzee’s crucial strike against Real Sociedad has been his most important so far.
With victory within grasp at Old Trafford in the upcoming Europa League quarter-finals, Amorim commended Zirkzee’s San Sebastian performance: "He deserved it, he is working well and he is improving a lot of things in his game."
This article originally appeared on The Mirror