Manchester United are struggling under new manager Ruben Amorim (Picture: Getty)
Ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker believes Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has ‘lost all respect’ for Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim.
Zirkzee was hauled off in just the 33rd minute during United’s humbling 2-0 Premier League defeat to Newcastle on Monday night.
Newcastle were already two goals up at that point and Amorim made the change due to Casemiro and Christian Eriksen’s struggles in midfield.
Explaining his decision to replace Zirzkee before half-time, Amorim said: ‘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. That is the more important thing and he’s suffering during the game.
‘I felt the team was suffering and needed another midfielder to have more and then we started to have more ball with Kobbie Mainoo.
‘But it was really, really tough on me to do that and I talked with Josh about that because it’s important to express the message.
Joshua Zirkzee was subbed off early against Newcastle United (Picture: Getty)
‘But I’m always thinking about the team and, in that moment, it was important for the team [for] Josh [to] go out.’
Jeers echoed around Old Trafford as Zirzkee made his way off the pitch and went straight down the tunnel before later returning to the bench.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville said he ‘felt sorry’ for Zirkzee, who has scored four goals in 26 appearances for the Red Devils following a £35.6m move from Atalanta last summer.
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‘I actually feel sorry for him, I really do,’ the ex-England defender said.
‘I know he’s earning a lot of money here, but there is a human being in there that’s basically been 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 I’ve been coming here, if at all, actually.’
Ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker (Picture: Getty)
How Zirkzee responds to the brutal snub remains to be seen but Reo-Coker believes he will no longer trust Amorim.
‘It’s a tough experience for a player and a tough pill that Ruben Amorim will have to swallow,’ the former West Ham and Aston Villa star told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘As a player, when you go through a moment like that, you need to think about the human element.
‘He will look at Ruben Amorim and never trust him again. He will be able to look at him and say “good morning boss” but he will not have any respect for him deep down.
‘It’s an admission from Amorim that he got the team wrong.
‘He’s going to have to try to fix the relationship because he will probably have to go back to him at some point and get him back on side and wanting to play and compete.’
Manchester United, who are just 14th in the Premier League, visit Anfield on Sunday to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
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