100% take-ons and 5 tackles in 26 mins: Impactful Utd star has put his case forward to start vs Spurs

Stretty News

·8. Februar 2025

100% take-ons and 5 tackles in 26 mins: Impactful Utd star has put his case forward to start vs Spurs

Joshua Zirkzee may be just edging Rasmus Hojlund in Ruben Amorim’s estimations after last night’s display vs Leicester City.

The Dane was given the nod over his counterpart after both were surprisingly dropped for last week’s loss to Crystal Palace, which saw Kobbie Mainoo instead utilised in a more attacking role further afield than he’s used to.

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Manchester United endured yet another dismal display at home to the 18th-placed Foxes, who had already sustained a whopping 15 defeats in the Premier League heading into Friday’s FA Cup tie.

A deflected save from Andre Onana ricocheted off of Bobby de Cordova-Reid in the 42nd minute to break the deadlock following a truly dire first half from all involved. United failed to even register a shot on target prior to the interval, while centre-forward Hojlund headed to the changing rooms having completed only two passes.

How Zirkzee outshone Hojlund vs Foxes

Zirkzee made an instant impact when entering the fray last night. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

He was kept on for the duration of the tie, however, Kobbie Mainoo eventually made way for Zirkzee in the 64th minute. Four minutes later, the forward secured the equaliser, his fifth of the season in all competitions, by being in the right position at the right time – exactly where you’d want your No.9 to be – to level the scoring.

That wasn’t the only contribution Zirkzee made to the game, either. Despite featuring for under half an hour, he was 100% successful in his take-ons. He took only 19 touches yet won all five of his tackles attempted and had two shots, as per StatmanDave.

In comparison, Hojlund was unable to register an attempt on goal all night, making it pretty evident who has to lead the line when United travel to face Tottenham Hotspur in eight days’ time.