Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee was reportedly reduced to tears in the tunnel after being substituted in the first half of their Premier League clash with Newcastle.
Zirkzee was sacrificed by Man United boss Ruben Amorim after the Red Devils fell 2-0 down at home to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday night.
The £36.5million summer signing was brought off 33 minutes into the match, with a roar going up from the home fans as the Dutchman was brought off.
Having got to the bench, Zirkzee picked up his coat and quickly walked up the touchline before heading down the tunnel.
According to beIN Sports and Sky Germany, Zirkzee had been seen with tears in his eyes in the tunnel after being axed and jeered by Man United fans.
Zirkzee would ultimately return to the Man United bench a few minutes later clutching a water bottle.
Joshua Zirkzee was reportedly reduced to tears after being jeered off in the first-half
The Man United forward was taken off 33 minutes into the 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle
Zirkzee walked down the touchline and into the tunnel after he was brought off in the
Post-match, Amorim admitted Zirkzee is ‘suffering’ as he endures a difficult debut season since moving to the Premier League, adding the early switch had been a ‘really, really tough’ decision for him to make.
The Man United boss stressed Zirkzee remained an important player for the club and cited Harry Maguire as an example of a star working through a tough period at the club.
‘I talked with Josh about that, because it’s important to express the message, but I’m always thinking about the team, and, in that moment, it was important for the team for Josh to go out,’ Amorim told Sky Sports.
‘You have to think about the team and also, sometimes about the player, because the player is suffering. I was there a few years ago and I know that he wants [it], because I saw it during the week, and that’s the most important thing.
‘He’s a really good lad, so you’ll have the support and you will prepare the next game.
‘It’s some moments, and you have some examples like Harry Maguire, that have some tough moments, but that is life in every profession.
‘So we will support Josh and continue because, like I said, Newcastle were a better team. Was not better than Josh, was better than Manchester United.’
Amorim said the decision to remove Zirkzee was due to Man United needing another midfielder, with Kobbie Mainoo coming on to help the Red Devils gain a foothold in the match.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim admitted the forward is ‘suffering’ amid a difficult period
Zirkzee, seen at the end of the first half, returned to watch the match with the substitutes
Man United’s latest defeat leaves the club languishing in 14th place heading into the New Year
Man United were unable to fight back into the match, with first half goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton condemning Amorim’s side to three consecutive home defeats for the first time in 45 years.
Zirkzee has made 27 appearances in all competitions for Man United since joining from Bologna in the summer, with the Dutchman scoring four goals and providing two assists.
Former Man United captain Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, had expressed sympathy for Zirkzee when the forward was hauled off.
‘I actually feel sorry for him, I really do,’ Neville said.
‘I know that he’s earning a lot of money here but there is a human being in there that’s basically being cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal.
‘I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years that I’ve been coming here.’
Man United’s latest defeat has left the club languishing in 14th place heading into the New Year, with Amorim’s side seven points above the relegation zone.
