Man Utd Owner Sympathises With Zirkzee After Being “Knocked About” By Gunners Pair

By The Editor
on 15th March 2025

Sir Jim Ratcliffe witnessed a tough afternoon for Zirkzee…

Manchester United’s quirky owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called for patience from the club’s fans and pointed to Joshua Zirkzee’s tough afternoon against Arsenal as proof that the Red Devils aren’t ready, he told The Overlap.

Zirkzee was man-handled by William Saliba and Gabriel, leaving the Dutch international constantly in a heap and looking at the officials for help.

The former Bologna man was hauled off by Ruben Amorim in favour of Rasmus Hojlund, with the Portuguese coach hoping to get change out of Arsenal’s stalwart defensive pair.

Saliba and Gabriel are considered the litmus test for many strikers and Ratcliffe believes Zirkzee will only grow from what he experienced against the duo at Old Trafford.

“I mean it’s quite tough, isn’t it?” Ratcliffe said to The Overlap when discussing Man Utd’s season so far.

“It’s not an easy league to play in and there’s a lot of scrutiny.

“Look at how Zirkzee got knocked about in the first half…he really got knocked about, didn’t he? He wouldn’t be used to that playing in the Italian league so it takes time for players to settle.”

Manchester United’s owner using the prowess of our central defensive pairing to shield one of the horrendous buys his hierarchy signed off on is rather flattering.

If it’s any comfort, Zirkzee won’t be the only striker across Europe feeling rather rough after an afternoon against Saliba and Gabriel.