Joshua Zirkzee was on hand to score his first goal of the season as Manchester United came from behind to win at Crystal Palace - with the Dutchman hitting back at his doubters
Joshua Zirkzee ended his goal drought at Selhurst Park as Man Utd claimed all three points
Joshua Zirkzee ended his goal drought at Selhurst Park as Man Utd claimed all three points
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Troy Deeney was made to eat his words after Joshua Zirkzee - whom he'd heavily criticised - scored for Manchester United to leave the ex-Watford man "flabbergasted".
The Dutchman has endured a difficult 18 month spell at Old Trafford, not coming up with the goals that were hoped for. He's fallen down the pecking order following United's summer spending spree but was on hand to help them pick up all three points at Crystal Palace.
It was Zirkzee's first goal of the season and came after Deeney had taken aim at the forward, who only scored seven times last term. The ex-Premier League forward claimed he could do a better job that the Dutchman if he was given a few weeks to train with the Manchester outfit.
Deeney had said on talkSPORT: "It’s really poor again from Zirkzee. I’ve been retired for two years – Man United give me six weeks and a third of what he’s doing and I’m probably sure I can do better. It is embarrassing watching him play at this moment in time. He just looks like a lost soul, an absolute lost soul."
Zirkzee was on hand to respond to his doubters as he scored on 54 minutes to bring United level at Selhurst Park. He latched onto a Bruno Fernandes free-kick, controlled the ball before lashing a shot across Dean Henderson and into the far corner.
Deeney claimed Zirkzee's strike left him stunned, not just because of his struggles this season, but also because it showed the confidence of a striker who was on top form, not someone who had struggled for involvement.
He said: "He’s got no right to score that. I’m questioning the ‘keeper, but it’s a wonderful finish. We’ve been giving him grief, and rightly so, but that’s a massive moment in his career. I’m flabbergasted that he’s done that. It’s not even the fact that he scored the goal, it’s the fact he’s shown you nothing in this game so far that you would even get a shot off. But to even have that level of self-assuredness to even take the shot. The confidence of it is frightening."
Troy Deeney has been critical of the Dutchman this season
Troy Deeney has been critical of the Dutchman this season
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Zirkzee's strike cancelled out Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty before Mason Mount grabbed United a winner in south London. It was the ideal response for the Red Devils, who were beaten at home by Everton on Monday. The three points lifting Ruben Amorim's side up to seventh.
The United boss was full of praise for how Zirkzee improved following a difficult first-half. He said: “It’s so important for the strikers to score goals. He’s not playing many minutes but the way he responds in the second-half is so important.
"It is more important than just the goals. Again, the small details, win the first ball so we can win the second ball, the connection, that is so important for our game. And the goal is really important for us and for him.”
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