Manchester United’s £36.5 million summer signing Joshua Zirkzee faced a tough moment during their Premier League match against Newcastle, as he was jeered off by his own fans after being substituted in the first half. The team had a dismal start, falling two goals behind within the first 20 minutes, with headers from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.

Manager Ruben Amorim opted to replace Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo, and as Zirkzee jogged off the pitch, the home crowd responded with a loud cheer, clearly pleased to see him substituted. This reaction prompted co-commentator Gary Neville, a former United player, to express sympathy for Zirkzee, stating, “I actually feel sorry for him… there is a human being in there that’s basically being cheered off by his own fans, and that is brutal.”

After reaching the bench, Zirkzee quickly picked up his coat and walked down the tunnel, a move Neville described as understandable given the circumstances. He remarked, “It’s a massive embarrassment… he hasn’t played well, let’s be clear, they’ve all been absolutely awful.”

Zirkzee later returned to the bench with a water bottle, joining the substitutes as the match continued. Neville further criticized United’s performance, calling them the “worst pound-for-pound team in the country,” as they struggled against Newcastle on their home ground. Before the match, he had already voiced concerns about United’s summer signings, including Zirkzee, noting their difficulty in settling in at Old Trafford. “I am shocked at how poor those players have been in the early months at this club,” he said.

The ongoing struggles of Manchester United are raising eyebrows, with commentators expressing frustration over the club’s inability to integrate new signings effectively. One observer noted, “I’ve said this before: this club has been a bit of a graveyard for players with decent reputations.”

Reflecting on recent signings like Ugarte, De Ligt, Yoro, and Zirkzee, the commentator remarked that there was no widespread criticism when these players were acquired. “They’ve signed some half-decent players that you thought would improve the squad,” they said. However, the reality on the pitch has been disappointing, with performances suggesting that the team is actually worse than before.

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The commentator highlighted the perplexing nature of the situation, stating, “These players haven’t all of a sudden become bad players overnight when they come to Manchester United.” This phenomenon, where talented individuals seem to underperform in a United shirt, continues to baffle fans and analysts alike. The sentiment echoes a growing concern that the club’s issues run deeper than just individual player performance.