Paul Merson questions Manchester United star's position on the field

Zirkzee, 23, had a fantastic beginning at Old Trafford, scoring the decisive goal in United's victory over Fulham on the opening day of the season in August.

But that remains the Dutchman’s only goal for the club since he completed a £36m move from Serie A side Bologna over the summer.

Zirkzee has attracted criticism for his recent performances and has often found himself benched by Erik ten Hag, who appears to favour Rasmus Hojlund up front.

Merson also believes Hojlund should start ahead of Zirzkee and remains unconvinced about the Netherlands forward.

Discussing Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Brentford on Saturday, Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘Brentford can score again in the first minute this weekend!

‘If that happens, you never know what’s next for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United. Brentford are free flowing, they will score at Old Trafford, that’s for sure.

‘But the problem is that whenever they take the lead, they just can’t seem to hold on to it and win. 

‘Manchester United can’t win a game for a toffee anyway, so I’m going for a 2-2 draw in this one.

‘I expect Brentford to cause them problems throughout this game. In terms of Ten Hag’s future, I think he’s alright now. Thomas Tuchel has joined England so that’s another top manager unavailable now.

‘If Manchester United get beat by Brentford and they sack him, that’s not the right way to run the club in my opinion. Now that they’ve decided to back him beyond the international break, I’d be shocked if that happens too.

‘A club like Manchester United should not be worried about teams like Brentford, it should be their rivals at the top. It being the opposite now is the harsh reality of where they are as a club. 

‘Joshua Zirkzee did well at Bologna, but it’s a different game here in England and especially at Manchester United.

‘You’re always under the microscope at this club, if you miss a chance or not get a chance, it’s always a talking point.

‘What’s his best position? Where do they play him? You’ve also got Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, so that’s four players fighting to be in that front-three. 

‘And no matter who among them Ten Hag decides to drop, he always gets stick, which is a bit unfortunate.

‘Against Brentford, I’d choose Hojlund over Zirkzee. He’s a better finisher in my opinion and Manchester United will need goals to win this one because Brentford are definitely scoring.’

Ex-Premier League star Paolo Di Canio has also questioned United summer signing Zirkzee and suggested he would benefit from a loan move.

‘I’d ask Manchester United for Zirkzee’s loan. After all, Manchester United have been making crazy decisions for years,’ Di Canio told Italian publication Tuttosport.

‘Nothing works there, not even Zirkzee. He’s too slow for the Premier League.

‘Maybe he’ll prove me wrong with goals and big performances, but in the Premier League, defenders are aggressive, and there are 30 per cent fewer fouls [than in Serie A].’

Despite his reservations over Zirzkee, Di Canio believes Juventus should try to sign him on loan.

‘There is so much confusion at Manchester United that they could even give him away on loan. They already have [Rasmus] Hojlund and [Marcus] Rashford, who play in that position,’ Di Canio added.

‘He would be an ideal profile and give Thiago Motta a player with a different skill set to [Dusan] Vlahovic.

‘I’d start negotiations now – a loan with an option to buy. Zikrzee is not a deadly finisher; he won’t score 25 goals, but he makes his team-mates play well.’

Manchester United are just 14th in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday’s home match against Brentford, who have blown hot and cold this season but are still three places and two points above the Red Devils.

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