Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee have been branded ‘downright useless’ in a damning assessment by former Manchester United defender Paul Parker. Both players have been used in the No. 10 position by Ruben Amorim but Parker has called for upgrades.
The 60-year-old has identified Brentford playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard as a potential new signing for United. Damsgaard has enjoyed an impressive campaign for the Bees, providing 10 Premier League assists. And Parker believes the Denmark international would be an improvement on Amorim’s current attacking options, such as Garnacho and Zirkzee.
“I can definitely understand if clubs are lining up to sign him. Arsenal could really use a creative player like him. He has been significantly better than [Martin] Odegaard this season, and the rest of their midfield is nowhere near creative enough,” Parker told SpilXpertan.
“Manchester United could also use him in the attacking midfield role, and he would obviously go straight into the starting lineup. Garnacho and Zirkzee have played that position a lot, but they are downright useless.
“[Bruno] Fernandes is the only creative midfielder, and he would link up well with Damsgaard. Maybe Fernandes could even drop deeper so that Fernandes, Damsgaard, and Amad could all be on the pitch at the same time.
“If I were Damsgaard, though, I would really hesitate before signing with Manchester United. He can just ask his Danish friends if they enjoy being at the club. They would probably say no and advise him to stay far away from ‘Circus United.’”
Garnacho and Zirkzee have been part of a United side who have underwhelmed in the Premier League this season. Amorim, who was appointed in November, has struggled to arrest a dreadful start to the campaign under Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese boss has limited options for the two No. 10 positions behind the centre-forward. Garnacho has often been used in the role, while Zirkzee is widely thought to finally be finding his feet at Old Trafford following his £36million switch from Bologna last summer.
United are a lowly 14th in the Premier League but are well clear of the relegation zone, sitting 17 points above 18th-placed Ipswich. Minority owners INEOS are planning for a major summer overhaul and have cut costs off the pitch - including widespread staff redundancies - in a bid to provide more resources to the first team.
The Red Devils today announced plans to build a £2billion 100,000-capacity stadium. The proposed arena, which features a trident design with the tallest standing at 656 feet, would be the biggest sporting venue in the country.