Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has confirmed that forward Joshua Zirkzee will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury in the recent 4-1 defeat to Newcastle. The Dutch striker was visibly distraught as he limped off the pitch, needing assistance to leave the field, and subsequent scans have ruled him out of action for the final stretch of the campaign.
Zirkzee’s absence leaves United worryingly short of options up front, with Amorim now set to rely on Rasmus Højlund and academy graduate Chido Obi-Martin as the only recognised centre-forwards available. Højlund has endured an inconsistent season, scoring eight times in 41 appearances across all competitions, while 17-year-old Obi-Martin, though highly rated, is yet to find the net at senior level.
The injury setback adds to an already challenging period for United, who are also making a change in goal. Amorim revealed that André Onana will return to the starting lineup for Thursday’s clash with Lyon in the Europa League. Onana had been dropped following a costly performance in the first leg against the French side, which included a high-profile error and a tense public exchange with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, now playing for Lyon.
His replacement, Altay Bayındır, failed to capitalize on the opportunity, putting in a disappointing display as United conceded four goals against Newcastle. With little room for error in the upcoming fixture, Amorim has opted to reinstate Onana as United’s No. 1, hoping the experienced goalkeeper can steady the ship as the club looks to finish the season strongly despite mounting adversity.
