Revealed: Harry Maguire sent Joshua Zirkzee a private message after striker was booed off after just 33 minutes in Newcastle defeat
Revealed: Harry Maguire sent Joshua Zirkzee a private message after striker was booed off after just 33 minutes in Newcastle defeat
Share:
Harry Maguire revealed that he sent a private message to Joshua Zirkzee after Man United fans cheered when their summer signing was substituted in a 2-0 defeat by Newcastle at Old Trafford last month. The striker came off after just 33 minutes, as the Red Devils conceded two goals in the opening 19 minutes and had their backs against the wall in front of their home fans.
![[Man United's summer signing was substituted in the 33rd minute, met by a ring of boos around Old Trafford in their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle last month, as the Red Devils trailed by two goals]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/10/94426423-14316715-image-m-53_1737628416840.jpg)
If anyone knows what it's like to overcome adversity from fans and pundits, it's Maguire. The centre back has himself been booed at Old Trafford in the past and was embarrassingly stripped of the United captaincy in 2022 by Erik ten Hag. Maguire has had to win over supporters during his career and is pleased that Zirkzee has redeemed himself in the eyes of many fans since the Newcastle game.
![[Zirkzee responded a few games later, scoring a penalty shootout winner against Arsenal]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/10/94426285-14316715-image-m-51_1737628395424.jpg)
The Dutchman sealed a dramatic FA Cup third round victory for United, scoring the final penalty in a shootout against Arsenal at the Emirates. 'I sent him a message privately after the [Newcastle] game,' Maguire said. Harry Maguire revealed he sent a private message to Joshua Zirkzee after he was booed off.
![[The Dutchman has scored just five goals since joining for £36.5m from Bologna last summer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/10/94426419-14316715-image-a-55_1737628983152.jpg)
Man United's summer signing was substituted in the 33rd minute, met by a ring of boos around Old Trafford in their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle last month, as the Red Devils trailed by two goals. Zirkzee responded a few games later, scoring a penalty shootout winner against Arsenal.
'He's a good player. You don't play for this club if you're not a good player. 'With Josh coming on against Arsenal, he really changed the game for us and to score the penalty [in the shootout]. It probably gave him the confidence and belief that he belongs here.'.
