Ruben Amorim and Bruno Fernandes 'visibly frustrated' with Man Utd player during Viktoria Plzen game

Ruben Amorim and Bruno Fernandes could not hide their frustration at Joshua Zirkzee after he lost possession 11 times in the opening 33 minutes of their Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen.

It wasn't exactly an eventful half of football at the Doosan Arena as the home side set up with five at the back. United, meanwhile, struggled to keep possession throughout.

Marcus Rashford, who has been tipped to complete a shock transfer away from Old Trafford, was guilty of losing the ball on multiple occasions on Thursday night.

But it was Zirkzee, a £36.5 million summer signing from Bologna, who arguably struggled the most.

In fact, captain Bruno Fernandes is said to have expressed his frustrated at Zirkzee after he lost possession on multiple occasions in the first-half, according to The Athletic's Carl Anka.

He added: "29 touches so far for the Dutchman. Lost possession 11 times. #MUFC have been ponderous in possession so far. They rarely get Plzen defenders turning to retreat."

The Mirror's David McDonnell also noticed Ruben Amorim's reaction when Zirkzee was found out. He wrote: "Amorim can't hide his dismay at Zirkzee continually losing possession, often under little pressure."

Amorim is not happy. pic.twitter.com/wOueQV2jhl

— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) December 12, 2024

After scoring on his debut against Fulham, Zirkzee has failed to build on what was a dream start to life at Old Trafford.

He was brought on in the 68th minute of Ruben Amorim's United bow against Ipswich Town but the Dutch forward was singled out by his manager after the full-time whistle.

"I think that [decision-making] is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level," said Amorim.

"You have to keep the ball and know the momentum to put the ball in front. Sometimes you feel that you can’t keep the ball and you [have to] put the ball in front.

"Then you have like we are in the end of the game, we were around the box with two strikers. Josh [Zirkzee] has to understand that he has to go to the box to have the crosses."

Amorim added: "So we are doing some things that were not at the right moment, so that is something we have to address.

"Sometimes people talk about the 3-4-3, that is not the concern, the system is the system but the understanding of the game is what we have to improve a lot in this area."

Thoughts on Zirkzee's start to life at United? Let us know in the comments.