The spotlight has fallen on a specific player—widely speculated to be Joshua Zirkzee—who had publicly vowed to step up his game ahead of the international break but failed to deliver during tonight’s clash.
This criticism intensified after a match where United unleashed over 22 attempts on goal, yet couldn’t find the net, with Zirkzee missing at least six clear-cut chances, including a glaring opportunity in front of an open goal.
The match, which kicked off at 12:00 PM PDT (8:00 PM BST), saw Nottingham Forest take an early lead through Anthony Elanga, a former United player, who scored a brilliant solo effort within the first five minutes.
Despite United’s dominance in possession and chance creation—highlighted by Diogo Dalot striking the crossbar—fans have taken to social media and forums to vent their anger, particularly at Zirkzee’s inability to convert.
Manager Ruben Amorim was seen visibly exasperated on the sidelines, reportedly directing sharp words toward the underperforming star, whose lack of clinical finishing has left supporters fuming. One fan trending on X remarked, “Promised us goals after the break, and he’s missed an open net—unacceptable.”
Zirkzee, who started as the lone striker in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 setup alongside Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, has struggled for consistency this season, with only three goals in 29 Premier League appearances.
Tonight’s match was seen as a chance to silence doubters after his pre-break pledge, but his wastefulness has instead reignited calls for Rasmus Højlund, currently on the bench, to reclaim the starting spot.
The broader context of United’s season adds fuel to the fire: sitting 13th in the table with 37 points, the Red Devils are desperate for a spark, and fans expected Zirkzee to provide it against a Forest side chasing a historic league double over United, last achieved in 1992.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s disciplined defending and counter-attacking prowess—bolstered by Elanga’s pace and Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity—have kept United at bay.
As the game progresses toward its conclusion around 2:00 PM PDT, the pressure mounts on Amorim to turn things around, but the fans’ ire remains fixed on Zirkzee, whose unfulfilled promise has become the night’s defining narrative.
Whether this marks a turning point in his United career or deepens the rift with the fanbase remains to be seen.
