The star is accused of shirking responsibility by not committing to a defined role
TNT punditry team all admit their confusion about how best to use the forward
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By DAVID KENT
Published: 15:55 EDT, 1 April 2025 | Updated: 15:55 EDT, 1 April 2025
Man United forward Joshua Zirkzee has come under fire for apparently shirking responsibility by not committing to a position.
The Dutchman moved to Old Trafford from Bologna for £36.5million but has scored just six goals in 44 appearances and made only two assists in his seven months at the club.
Against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, Zirkzee was entrusted with the centre forward role. He has previously looked most comfortable playing just off the striker in Amorim's 3-4-3 system.
With fans and pundits unsure of his best position, the question was put to Zikzee himself ahead of Man United's trip to the City Ground.
'It’s difficult to say because I’ve been playing the 10 position and today I'm playing in the striker position. I’d say I’m in between,' he told TNT Sports.
'I just want to win doesn’t really matter which position. My connection with the team is the most important. I just like playing football and being creative.'
Joshua Zirkzee played at centre forward in Man United's trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday
Both Rio Ferdinand (centre) and Martin O'Neill all had their say about the Dutchman's role
Zirkzee has also played behind Rasmus Hojlund (second right) in the No 10 position
That answer failed to convince TNT's punditry team with Martin O'Neill particuarly damning.
The Forest legend suggested that Zirkzee was trying to have the best of both worlds.
‘He doesn’t know his position,' said O'Neill.
'You said 9.5, that must be a shoe size! That’s a lovely position. You can disappear. You’re not a No 9 so you don’t worry about scoring, you’re not No 10 because you’re not creative.
‘I saw him play for Bologna last season and honestly I didn’t think his next move would be a £35m transfer to Man United. He’s a nice player, nice footballer but’s he’s got to be more aggressive in his game, get hold of the ball.’
Fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist were more sympathetic but all three former players were in agreement about Zirkzee's lack of a defined role.
'He’s not really sure, hasn’t defined himself yet in the PL,' said Ferdinand.
'If you ask him what his style was in Italy he’d be much more assertive and more sure.'
While McCoist added: ‘He doesn’t sound like an out and out No 9, he doesn’t play like one or sound like one.
'I’m not sure he believes he’s an out and out No 9. I was a little bit surprised he wasn’t definite about his own position.’