Mason Mount’s words could have saved Ruben Amorim a real headache after the lacklustre performance of Joshua Zirkzee in Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton.
Ruben Amorim handed out-of-favour striker Joshua Zirkzee a rare start on Monday evening after injuries to summer signings Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
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Zirkzee has been linked with Roma in recent months and the 24-year-old Dutch striker has been tipped to leave Old Trafford in the upcoming January window.
The Netherlands star has fallen down the pecking order under Manchester United manager Amorim and has struggled to secure regular first-team minutes this season.
Zirkzee’s four Premier League appearances ahead of United’s encounter with Everton had come from the bench and the Dutchman had been limited to sporadic cameos.
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Jack Grealish is helped to his feet by Joshua Zirkzee as teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall stretches his leg during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
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Joshua Zirkzee’s struggles for Man Utd against Everton underpin the importance of Mason Mount’s**** message
Joshua Zirkzee’s performance for Manchester United left much to be desired for Red Devils supporters after the Netherlands striker failed to have an impact.
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United threw the kitchen sink at Everton in the second half after David Moyes’ men stunned the Red Devils in the first half with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s opener.
The Red Devils players peppered the Everton box after the break in the hope that the ball would find its way into the path of Zirkzee for a potential equaliser.
Where did Joshua Zirkzee go wrong against Everton?
Joshua Zirkzee vs Everton
Metric Value
Goals 0
Assists 0
Total Shots 3
Accurate Passes 15/25 (60%)
Chances Created 2
Expected Goals(xG) 0.35
Penalty boxtouches 5
Despite his imposing 6ft 4in physique, the Red Devils striker failed to make the all-important impact that United fans at Old Trafford were desperate to see.
Zirkzee did have some success with a couple of the balls lofted into him, only for Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford to deny him from scoring on Monday.
The former Bologna forward’s other woeful attempts with his head showed that Ruben Amorim didn’t even consider what Mason Mount pointed out in the summer.
READ MORE: Michael Owen says Matheus Cunha is ‘different profile of player’ to uninspiring Man Utd star after Everton defeat
Mason Mount showed that Chido Obi’s biggest strength is why Ruben Amorim needed him more ahead of Joshua Zirkzee
Mason Mount showed that Chido Obi’s biggest strength is why Ruben Amorim needed him more ahead of Joshua Zirkzee
Chido Obi arrived at Old Trafford in 2024 after leaving the Arsenal academy set-up and the 17-year-old Danish forward made his debut under Amorim last season.
The former Gunners talent is still developing in the United youth academy, but there is no doubt that he remains a viable option for Amorim if he is absolutely needed.
Amorim used Chido Obi during the 2025 pre-season tour and the Denmark Under-21s international scored a stunning brace in United’s 3-1 win over Hong Kong.
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Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
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Speaking after United’s victory against Hong Kong back in May, Mount talked up the amazing aerial threat that Chido Obi has in his arsenal as a United striker.
“Chido is a very good player, I’ve obviously played with him loads, but in training you can see what he’s about,” he told MUTV, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“He’s got good movement and as a No 10, you want to try to put balls into the box for him to get on the end of.
“He’s a threat with the ball in the air. All the young kids who played today stepped up in difficult circumstances and all performed very well, so I’m very happy for them.”
The fact that Chido Obi wasn’t even on the bench for United’s defeat to Everton amid the spray-and-pray technique of crosses for Zirkzee does speak volumes.