Michael Carrick sought to defend Joshua Zirkzee after his quiet afternoon for Manchester United in their goalless draw with Sunderland.
Zirkzee was handed his first start since early December given the injury to Benjamin Sesko and the lack of form of Bryan Mbeumo.
The Dutch striker has been a bit-part player since Carrick’s arrival in January, and struggled to make any real impact on the game when finally given a chance to start.
Zirkzee had just three touches in the opposition box and one shot on goal before being withdrawn after 65 minutes as United laboured to a draw at the Stadium of Light.
But Carrick was reticent to criticise the 24-year-old’s peformance given the nature of the game and his lack of game time in recent months.
‘I thought there were certain times when Josh linked the play really well and certain times when we probably left him a little bit isolated at times,’ Carrick told reporters post-match.
‘That’s how it goes, I think he played a real part for the team.
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‘I understand it’s not always easy for any player when you haven’t played for a little bit to come into a game, so certainly not just judging any individual on just one performance today anyway.’
On his side’s performance more generally, Carrick added: ‘It was a tough game. Credit to Sunderland, I think we knew it was going to be a tough game coming here anyway.
‘We had to dig deeper times, it wasn’t our best, but actually to take something from the game when you’re not at your best is a good trait that we’re trying to build as well.
‘There were obviously changes and sometimes you’re trying to find that rhythm a little bit, which is understandable, but I still quite liked it.
‘A lot of the things to give us the foundation to then be able to play better at certain times, but to take a point and a clean sheet for what it is, I think, is okay.’
United were dealt a blow before kick-off when both Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko were ruled out through injury.
Asked for an update on the pair, Carrick said: ‘Casemiro will be fine, it’s not a major issue, he’ll be fine next week.
‘Ben will just have to see, he’s been carrying a shin problem for a little bit of time now, so we’ve just got to manage that and see what’s best for him.’
United are back in action next Sunday at home to Nottingham Forest.
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