Manchester United supporters have cast their verdict on Joshua Zirkzee's performance following their 1-0 loss against Everton after the Dutchman was handed his first Premier League start of the season.
Brought into the side after Matheus Cunha's freak injury, United were handed a huge boost in the game after the visitors were reduced to 10 men following Idrissa Gana Gueye's bizarre sending off for slapping his teammate. But it was the Toffees who then took the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who curled a brilliant effort past the diving Senne Lammens.
Despite their man advantage, United struggled to fashion chances of real note throughout the game. Although they piled on the pressure, they could not find a way past Jordan Pickford, as they dropped three points for the first time in five games.
Everton's Idrissa Gueye is held back by Everton's Jordan Pickford as he clashes with teammate Michael Keane Related
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Zirkzee Struggles Against Everton
Everton's Idrissa Gueye in action with Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee struggled against Everton. Credit: REUTERS/Phil Noble
Gueye's sending off should have given United and Zirkzee the impetus to push for goals. And while the Red Devils failed to craft much of note as a whole, they really didn't have much of a focal point to feed off of.
Clashing with James Tarkowski during the opening minutes was as lively as Zirkzee got during the first half. The Dutchman failed to register a shot at all, let alone a shot on target, showing exactly why he's struggled for minutes in 2025/26.
It could not have gone much worse for the 24-year-old, which meant that he could only improve after half-time. There were a few bright moments, such as when he saw a header spectacularly clawed away by a diving Pickford, but he failed to consistently test the Everton goalkeeper on the night, amassing an expected goals total of 0.35 and just two efforts on target.
Check Zirkzee's Statistics vs Everton Below:
Joshu Zirkzee's Stats From Man Utd 0-1 Everton
Touches
Expected Goals
Shots
Shots on Target
Big Chances Created
Key Passes
Ground Duels (Won)
Aerial Duels (Won)
With new signing Benjamin Sesko not making the best of starts since joining United in the summer, Monday night's game against Everton felt like the perfect opportunity for Zirkzee to demonstrate to Amorim why he should play more frequently, particularly with his teammate missing games through injury. But it's fair to say that he definitely failed to make the most of his chance.
Fans Condemn Zirkzee's Performance
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee speaks with Everton's James Tarkowski
Joshua Zirkzee has been criticised for his performance against Everton. Credit: REUTERS/Phil Noble
While criticism can be levied on multiple fronts for United's failure to beat a side reduced to 10 men, much of it has been aimed at Zirkzee. Samuel Luckhurst, writing on X, said that his first half performance, "showed why he hasn't started since April or scored in the league since December 1." And those thoughts were echoed by BBC Sport's Simon Stone.
"Joshua Zirkzee has been desperate for a chance to show he is worthy of a place in this Manchester United side. He wants to protect his World Cup chances.
On either metric, he has to do a lot better than this."
While he did improve after the interval, fans have still condemned the Dutchman's performance up front, bemoaning a lack of cutting edge. Some believe that his United career could be over after his shortcomings on Monday night, with one writing: "I cant see Zirkzee playing for us again after this display." Another added: "Zirkzee showing his lack of goal scoring ability again. Another impostor in a United shirt."
A few supporters believe that they have seen enough, and have called for him to be sold. One said: "Time to sell Zirkzee btw, I’ve given up." And a fan echoed those thoughts, writing: "I don’t wanna see Zirkzee in a Utd shirt again."
United Drop to 10th in Premier League Table
Manchester United's Leny Yoro looks dejected
Manchester United's Leny Yoro looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
Defeat ends United's impressive five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, with them dropping to 10th in the table following the conclusion of gameweek 12. Everton, meanwhile, jump above Merseyside rivals Liverpool into 11th place, with them now level on points with the Red Devils.
Amorim's side will be hoping to bounce back in their next fixture on Sunday afternoon. They travel to London for a fixture against a high-flying Crystal Palace side, who currently sit 5th in the league.