Amorim hints at a new role for £35m Man Utd ace, he played five passes into the final third vs Spurs | OneFootball

Manchester United lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, courtesy of an early goal from James Maddison.

Manager Ruben Amorim was forced to make several changes to his squad due to multiple injuries.

Joshua Zirkzee started in the right-sided number 10 role with Rasmus Hojlund leading the attack.

Amorim hinted after the game that Zirkzee is better suited to this role than to the number nine position.

He said in the post-match conference (via Beanyman Sports): “I think Josh is not a clear nine, he played more as a 10.

“He’s stronger physically, he’s working really hard and he played in a better position for him and he’s improving.

“He’s winning more duels, he’s even faster, and you feel it in the game.”

Zirkzee needs to work harder in his new role

The Dutch international and Patrick Dorgu put in positive performances in United’s narrow defeat to Spurs.

Zirkzee exhibited his remarkable technical brilliance, controlling the ball with an ease that made it look almost effortless.

Calm under pressure, he breezed past Spurs’ attempts to close him down, even nutmegging Lucas Bergvall on one instance.

With 49 touches, Zirkzee kept the game flowing and finished with 81% passing accuracy.

The £35 million-rated ace played five passes into the final third, including a perfectly weighted ball that allowed Alejandro Garnacho to test Spurs’ goalkeeper in the second half.

Zirkzee was presented with a golden chance to equalise when Noussair Mazraoui sent in a brilliant cross but his header drifted wide of the target.

The role of a number 10 suits Zirkzee but he needs to work harder and bring urgency to his style if he wants to thrive in that position.

Amorim demands a high pressing game, yet it was Bruno Fernandes who found himself picking up the slack for Zirkzee’s lack of pressing.

On numerous occasions, Zirkzee was slow to press, forcing other players to leave their positions and cover for him.

With Amad Diallo out for the rest of the season, Amorim could give Zirkzee a long leash in the number 10 role.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .