Man Utd legend slams club's own fans over 'horrible moment'
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Manchester United hero Wes Brown has criticised the club’s own fans for their ‘horrible’ treatment of Joshua Zirkzee during a recent match.
Zirkzee has endured a miserable spell at Old Trafford since his £36.5m move from Bologna last summer and his United career hit a new low during the Premier League defeat to Newcastle United at the end of December.
The Netherlands international started the league match but was subbed off after just 33 minutes after Manchester United conceded two early goals.
As Zirkzee sheepishly made his way off the pitch, jeers could be heard around Old Trafford, something Brown cannot remember happening to another player.
Zirkzee headed down the tunnel and back to the dressing room after being hooked – a decision that was criticised – before returning to the United bench for the rest of the game.
Brown was shocked by the reaction to Ruben Amorim’s substitution and says it was a ‘horrible moment’ for Zirkzee and ‘should not be happening’ at Manchester United.
‘Seeing and hearing Joshua Zirkzee get booed was horrible and Manchester United fans shouldn't be doing it,’ seven-time Premier League winner Brown told The Sports Daily.
‘It was a terrible moment. He is a Manchester United player and although things weren't working out on the pitch it was down to the whole team.
‘I hope the next time he plays that he gets a big cheer because he didn't deserve that.
‘The manager had to change something and it happened to be him to go off, he hasn't done anything to deserve being booed. No fan should be booing their own player for that.
‘I can't recall it happening during my time at the club, it's not the sort of club that it should be happening at.’
Zirkzee is believed to be keen to leave Manchester United just six months after arriving at the Theatre of Dreams.
Despite his recent struggles, the 23-year-old has attracted interest from Serie A side Juventus, who are willing to use Dusan Vlahovic in a bid to strike a deal.
Addressing speculation United could sell Zirkzee during the January transfer window, Red Devils boss Amorim recently said: ‘I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he's trying in training but we don't know.
‘The window is open and we will see what happens. We just need to focus on training and to take this for the other games. It's just one point so let's focus on the performance for the next games.’
Zirkzee is not the only Manchester United player being linked with a January move, with Marcus Rashford expected to leave and Casemiro eyeing a move to Saudi Arabia.
United have endured a dismal run under Amorim but held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw last time out and will look for a similarly spirited performance on Sunday when they face Arsenal in the FA Cup.
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