Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly at risk of missing the remainder of the season, with things not getting any easier for Ruben Amorim. The Dutchman limped off with a suspected hamstring injury during United’s 4-1 defeat away to Newcastle United at the weekend.
Zirkzee has netted seven times across all competitions for United since arriving in a £36.5million move from Bologna in the summer. The Dutchman found the target during last week’s 2-2 draw away to Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, but United are unlikely to be able to call on him for the foreseeable future following the 23-year-old’s injury setback.
It’s reported by BBC Sport that Zirkzee is expected to miss ‘several weeks’ of action, which could rule him out for the remainder of United’s Premier League and Europa League season. The full severity of the injury isn’t yet known, and while Amorim is likely to offer an update ahead of Thursday’s second leg against Lyon, it’s believed the news won’t be positive.
Amorim had hinted at this when quizzed on the former Bayern Munich forward’s fitness status at full-time of the Newcastle defeat. The United manager said: “We had to make rotation [with the subs] because we are trying to recover in two days from each game but trying to win this game also. Josh, I think he will be out for some games. So, let’s focus on the next one.”
It likely means that Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored just three goals in 26 matches for United, will lead the line for the Red Devils when they welcome Lyon to Old Trafford on Thursday. The record English champions have work to do if they wish to compete in the Europa League semi-finals, having conceded late on to throw away a lead against the Ligue 1 side last week.
Not only does the Europa League represent United’s final chance at silverware this season, it’s also their only remaining route into next season’s Champions League. On the task at hand, Amorim said on Sunday: “We have to start tomorrow [to recover for Thursday]. We cannot change this game, this performance, this [Premier League] season.
“We just need to think of the future, we have one competition that we can win a trophy [in] and go to the Champions League next season.”
Progression against Lyon will set up a semi-final clash against either Athletic Club or Rangers, who are currently locked at 0-0 following their first leg encounter. Away from Europe, six matches of the Premier League season remain, starting with the visit of Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
