Ruben Amorim has praised Joshua Zirkzee and said that the reaction of Manchester United fans to the attacker “very important” has been replaced after 33 minutes in the 2-0 defeat in Newcastle on December 30.
Nederlands International Zirkzee recorded its seventh goal of the season in all competitions to put United first in their 2-2 draw in Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday, three days before Newcastle Old Trafford (16:30 BST) visits when the 23-year-old will try to score for the first time in 19 Premier League phenomena.
“He is doing great, but a very important thing was the way fans responded after that incident,” said Amorim, who replaced Zirkzee by Kobbie Mainoo after United had admitted twice in the opening of 19 minutes of the fourth home competition match of the Portuguese.
“You see every time, even when Josh does not play, whether he is on the field or warms up, our fans sing the Josh number. That is huge for the players. It is 50-50: 50% the fans, 50% Josh.”
Joshua Zirkzee -number
Zirkzee, who arrived for £ 36.5 million from the Italian club Bologna in July, was SerenAded by supporters with a song for the melody of the Hit Seven Nation Army of the White Stripes 2003, which is used almost omnipresent at sporting events.
Fans sang the version dedicated to Zirkzee on the subsequent 2-2 draw of United in Liverpool, despite the goal of the chants who played only four minutes in Anfield.
Since then he has started with 10 of the 18 games of United, although last season’s Serie A Best Young Player scored four minutes after the bank with the equalizer in the 2-1 home victory at Leicester City in the FA Cup on 7 February.
Zirkzee has two goals in its last three Europa League performances and scored in the shootout when United won in Arsenal in the FA Cup on January 12, although he missed the last place when they were eliminated by Fulham Thuis in the fifth round on March 2.
Man United vs Lyon: Amorim ‘Careful’
United seemed to have won their quarterfinals first stage against the French side when Zirkzee, who had replaced Rasmus Hojlund in the 63rd minute in the Groupama Stadium, on their way to two minutes from the end of the regular time.
Rayan Cherki felled on a visit to goalkeeper Andre Onana who spilled a shot to make five minutes in extra time, and Amorim was asked if the importance of the second stage on Old Trafford on Thursday (20:00) will influence his selections against Newcastle, with United to play with little in the competition.
“Winning games is the best way to prepare for the next,” said Amorim. “We are going to be careful with some players, but we have to be competitive.
“If you play for Manchester United, you can’t afford to think about the next game. We have to think about the way we want to play these types of games, and we are more consistent.”
Ruben discusses the availability of his team for Newcastle Weg 🔜 🔜 🔜 🔜 🔜 🔜 🔜 🔜#Murnc || #Pl
– Manchester United (@manutd) April 11, 2025
Man United vs Newcastle: Fernandes ‘Evaluation’
Bruno Fernandes set up the last goal of Zirkzee and Amorim said that an “evaluation” would take place about the fitness of the midfielder, who has almost always been present this season.
“We will make this evaluation with all the staff, with all the information we have,” said Amroim. “Bruno Fernandes always plays and he always plays better.
“Sometimes this type of player has to play in every match, but we will treat it on the day we have to prepare.”
Fifth placed Newcastle has 15 points than United in the 13th and won a fourth consecutive game in all competitions by losing Leicester 3-0 on Monday.
