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Joshua Zirkzee underperformed. Photo: Reuters . |
Against an energetic Sunderland side, Manchester United endured one of their worst matches of the season. The visitors were constantly outplayed in midfield and created almost no significant chances. Without the brilliance of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who made a series of impressive saves, MU could very well have gone home empty-handed.
After securing early qualification for the Champions League, Carrick decided to rotate the squad aggressively, giving Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee rare starting opportunities. However, both proved to be major disappointments, casting doubt on their future at Old Trafford.
Mount was deployed in a deeper midfield role to give Casemiro a rest, but the former Chelsea star seemed out of sync and lacked influence on the game. After a season plagued by injuries, the English midfielder has yet to regain his best form. Many believe Mount's most suitable position is as an attacking midfielder, but Bruno Fernandes is almost irreplaceable in that role.
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Mount (right) was disappointing. Photo: Reuters . |
Meanwhile, Zirkzee continued his forgettable performance. The Dutch striker played slowly, lacked sharpness, and failed to put any pressure on the Sunderland defense. His weakness in speed continued to be exposed, and his tackling ability was ineffective despite his ideal physique.
What disappointed fans the most was that neither Mount nor Zirkzee showed enough determination and desire when given the opportunity to prove themselves. According to the British media, Carrick even considered substituting both of them at halftime due to their unconvincing performances.
Although the draw didn't significantly impact MU's season goals, with the team almost certain to finish in the top three, the match was still seen as a major warning to Carrick and the club's management ahead of the summer transfer window. Mount's persistent injury and Zirkzee's inconsistency mean both are at risk of being sold this coming summer.
Source: https://znews.vn/den-luc-mu-ban-mount-and-zirkzee-post1650245.html
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