Man Utd Ratings: Zirkzee's Poor Showing

kobexielite 𝕯𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Dec 31, 2024

39 visitor like this post

Share

Man Utd Ratings: Zirkzee's Poor Showing Mars Otherwise Solid Performance

Manchester United secured a hard-fought victory, but the performance was far from flawless. While several players impressed, Bayern Munich loanee Joshua Zirkzee's underwhelming display cast a shadow over the match. Let's delve into the individual player ratings.

A Mixed Bag: Individual Player Performances

Goalkeeper:

• David de Gea (8/10): Made several crucial saves, showcasing his continued importance to the team. His commanding presence in the box was instrumental in preventing a potential collapse. A solid, dependable performance from the veteran stopper.

Defenders:

• Diogo Dalot (7/10): Offered strong defensive support and contributed positively going forward. His attacking runs provided width and created opportunities.
• Raphael Varane (7.5/10): A composed and assured display at the heart of the defense. Varane's experience shone through, expertly dealing with aerial threats and winning key tackles.
• Lisandro Martínez (7/10): Showed his usual aggressive style, winning battles in the midfield and thwarting opposition attacks. A combative performance.
• Luke Shaw (6.5/10): A relatively quiet game for Shaw. Solid defensively, but lacked the attacking impetus seen in previous matches.

Midfielders:

• Casemiro (8/10): His usual dominant performance in the middle of the park. Casemiro's defensive contributions were vital, breaking up play and shielding the backline.
• Bruno Fernandes (7/10): Showed flashes of brilliance, creating chances with his incisive passing. However, his final ball sometimes let him down.
• Christian Eriksen (7.5/10): Controlled the tempo of the game with his calm and composed play. His distribution was excellent, and he helped dictate the flow of United's attacks.

Forwards:

• Marcus Rashford (8.5/10): A lively and dangerous presence upfront. Rashford’s pace caused problems for the opposition defense, culminating in a goal. A standout performance.
• Anthony Martial (7/10): Worked tirelessly, holding up the ball well and creating space for his teammates. A useful contribution despite not scoring.
• Joshua Zirkzee (4/10): A disappointing outing for the young striker. He struggled to make an impact, misplacing passes and failing to create chances. His hold-up play was weak and his overall contribution minimal. This poor showing needs addressing.

Zirkzee's Struggles: Areas for Improvement

Zirkzee's performance highlighted several areas that require significant improvement. His lack of composure in front of goal and poor decision-making were particularly evident. He needs to work on his first touch, passing accuracy, and overall link-up play to justify his place in the squad. This match served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing young players adapting to the demands of top-flight football. The pressure of playing for a club like Manchester United is immense, and Zirkzee needs to find ways to manage that pressure effectively.

Overall Assessment

Despite Zirkzee's disappointing performance, Manchester United managed to secure a valuable win. The team showed resilience and determination, overcoming a tough opponent. However, Zirkzee's struggles underscore the need for improved consistency and more clinical finishing in the attacking third. His performance serves as a reminder that even with talent, hard work and adaptation are essential for success at the highest level. Further evaluation and coaching will be key to helping Zirkzee reach his full potential. The team's overall performance was decent but relies heavily on established players delivering consistent results. The need for improved squad depth is evident.