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Manchester United faltered to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at dwelling to Brighton and Hove Albion at this time as Ruben Amorim’s tough begin to life at Outdated Trafford continues.
The Crimson Devils have been suffering from particular person errors as soon as once more, with goalkeeper Andre Onana having a very dangerous day, however it was a flat efficiency throughout the board with few optimistic factors.
Main the road for United has lengthy been a thankless process and following some brilliant cameos in latest matches, and the nosediving type of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee began up entrance for the primary time this 12 months.
The Dutchman regarded sharper than most of his workforce mates, and balanced offering an attacking risk with a gritty dedication.
No participant on both facet made extra tackles than Zirkzee, who pressed laborious to make three tackles in the course of the match – no United defender managed greater than two.
He was additionally concerned in essentially the most duels of anybody on the pitch, going head-to-head with a Brighton participant 17 occasions in complete as he fulfilled a combative position which required a number of hold-up play.
The 23-year-old received 5 of 11 floor duels, second solely to the tough Amad Diallo. He contested twice as many aerial duels as anybody else in a crimson shirt, profitable two of six.
Zirkzee was fouled 3 times, considered one of which received United the penalty which Bruno Fernandes transformed to quickly pull the Crimson Devils again into the sport.
The pay-off for the Dutchman taking part in the lone striker position was an absence of time spent on the ball – he solely took 33 touches, the bottom of any beginning outfield United participant.
He accomplished 12 of an tried 15 passes, popping out at 80% accuracy, and located his man as soon as with an extended ball.
It’s truthful to say that Zirkzee didn’t hit the bottom working at Outdated Trafford, after becoming a member of from Bologna in the summertime, however he has been regularly discovering a level of type of late.
The Dutchman nonetheless has an extended approach to go, however he’s transferring in the proper path and is definitely getting ready to changing into Amorim’s beginning quantity 9 – no less than till a possible new striker arrives.
All stats taken from sofascore.
Featured picture Gareth Copley through Getty Photos
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