NETHERLANDS manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is not good enough to play for the national team.
Zirkzee has struggled to find his feet since joining the Red Devils in a £36.5million transfer from Bologna in July.
Joshua Zirkzee is not good enough for the Dutch national team, according to Ronald Koeman[/caption]
Koeman decided against calling up Zirkzee to the Netherlands squad despite ‘limited’ options in attack[/caption]
In 42 club appearances this season the 23-year-old has scored just six goals and provided two assists.
His form has left many United fans and pundits disappointed – and it appears Koeman isn’t best pleased either.
The Netherlands boss has decided against handing Zirkzee a call-up for the next international break later this month.
He insists the striker must “earn” his place in the squad.
Koeman said: “He wasn’t in the preliminary selection because I don’t think he’s good enough at the moment.
“Especially scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong.
“Yes, in principle form and fitness are always leading, but that is not always possible.
“We have a lot of central defenders and midfielders, but we are somewhat limited up front.
Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets
“But even then, I still think that you have to earn your selection, and I think he doesn’t deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period.”
Zirkzee has represented the Dutch national team in the last three international breaks.
However, Memphis Depay is expected to get the call-up this time instead.
Netherlands face Spain in both Nations League fixtures this month.
Should they win across two legs, they will reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Man Utd signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as ever
IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.
On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.
There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.
A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.
Arsenal‘s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.
Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.
United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.
