Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has hit back at the club’s current critics, insisting they could see where they were going if they watched them training.
Voetbal Primeur cover comments from the Dutch forward today as Manchester United come under scrutiny once again.
The pressure is already on Erik ten Hag’s side just three games into the season after defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool in their last two games.
Sunday’s defeat to their fierce rivals was the worst yet as Arne Slot’s side dominated proceedings at Old Trafford and ran out comfortable winners in the game.
It was another good afternoon for the Reds against Manchester United, who looked far off the pace and unlikely to be challenging for a top four place, which many believe should be the minimum aim this season.
Criticism for Ten Hag and his team was unsurprisingly plentiful after the game, with many questioning the direction, or lack of it, at Manchester United at present.
The big debate focuses on Ten Hag, who appears to have failed to implement any style or strategy at the club despite this being his third season in charge.
That’s a problem in a Premier League that is now dominated by managers with clear plans and teams with clear identities. But Zirkzee is not having the criticism and insists you can see what they’re doing in training.
“It’s difficult at the moment. Everyone expects United to win. It’s a very big club, so that’s just part of it,” he said.
“If you see how we train, we are really going in the right direction. We have to show it on the field.”
On being away with the Netherlands squad, he said: “I just come here to train well and show my best side, just like at the European Championships, and then the choice is up to the trainer.
“That ultimately means becoming a striker for the Dutch team, that is the dream of every Dutch boy.”
