Man Utd fans sent Joshua Zirkzee warning - and told to remember former flop
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Joe Cole has told warned Manchester United supporters they can "help a player thrive or die" after jeering Joshua Zirkzee. The Red Devils forward was sacrificed early on during their defeat to Newcastle, enduring the embarrassment of being hauled off before half-time. Ruben Amorim had to make changes as his side were being outclassed and Zirkzee's early exit was cheered by the fans.
Zirkzee grabbed his coat and headed straight for the tunnel as his struggles continue. He only made the move to Manchester in the summer but, since scoring on his debut, has been unable to regularly find the net or influence games. As such, Cole pointed to the example of Angel di Maria, who was a world beater at Real Madrid before moving to United, where he flopped. He was then a huge success at PSG after leaving United following just a year in Manchester, with his time in England the only real blot on an outstanding career.
Ex-Chelsea man believes the fans have a role to play in ensuring players hit top gear. He said: “Whether the fans were out of order for booing Joshua Zirkzee depends on your view on football. The fans pay their money, they work very hard in the week and get to express themselves at the weekend. As a footballer, you’re a professional – but first and foremost, you’re a performer. I wouldn’t do it, and I wouldn’t want my kids to do it, but it comes down to how the fans feel – and Zirkzee will need to deal with it.
“What I would say to the Manchester United fans is to remember Ángel Di María. He’s probably one of the best players of the past 15 years outside of Messi and Ronaldo – but he came to Manchester United, and he looked like he never played football before.
