In the wake of the match, which saw United fire off over 22 shots but fail to score, Scholes didn’t mince words, stating, “I don’t know why we signed him.
With such a performance, he’s proved that he’s just wasted funds. He has not become a better replacement for the player formerly in this position.”
The £43 million player in question is widely understood to be Joshua Zirkzee, acquired from Bologna in July 2024, whose lackluster showing against Forest has reignited debate about his value to the squad.
The game, which concluded just before 2:00 PM PDT, saw Nottingham Forest take an early lead through Anthony Elanga’s fifth-minute screamer, a goal that proved decisive as United’s attack faltered despite relentless pressure.
Zirkzee, starting as the lone striker, squandered at least six clear chances, including a glaring miss from point-blank range and a header that drifted wide of an open net. Manager Ruben Amorim’s frustration was palpable, with cameras catching him berating the 23-year-old on the sidelines—a sentiment echoed by Scholes and a furious fanbase. On X, one supporter fumed, “£43m for Zirkzee to miss sitters all night—Scholes is spot on, what’s the point of him?”
Scholes’ comments, delivered post-match on TNT Sports, cast doubt on Zirkzee’s suitability as a successor to previous forwards like Anthony Martial, whom he was expected to outshine. With only three goals in 29 Premier League appearances this season, Zirkzee’s output has fallen short of expectations, especially in a side languishing at 13th with 37 points.
The defeat hands Forest a rare league double over United—their first since 1992—piling pressure on Amorim, who has now overseen consecutive losses. Fans are clamoring for Rasmus Højlund, benched tonight, to reclaim the starting role, viewing Zirkzee’s signing as a costly misstep by a recruitment team still under scrutiny since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival.
For United, the match exposed familiar frailties: dominance without end product. Forest’s resolute defending and counter-attacking threat, led by Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White, underscored the gap Zirkzee was meant to bridge. Scholes’ critique, rooted in his 718 appearances for the club, carries weight, amplifying calls for a rethink as United face a pivotal summer transfer window. Whether Zirkzee can turn his fortunes around or prove a £43 million flop remains a burning question.
