Jamie Carragher criticised ‘really poor’ Manchester United summer signing Joshua Zirkzee during the club’s Premier League draw against Aston Villa.
United shared an underwhelming goalless draw with Villa on Sunday afternoon, though given their recent issues Erik ten Hag’s side will likely be content with the point.
Chances were at a premium at Villa Park, with Bruno Fernandes coming close for the visitors with a free-kick that struck the crossbar and Jaden Philogene almost scoring late on for the hosts.
Rasmus Hojlund started up top for Manchester United but, after an uneventful 64-minute display, was replaced by Zirkzee, who joined the club over the summer from Bolgona.
Zirkzee also struggled to make much of an impact and attracted criticism from Liverpool legend and Sky Sports co-commentator Carragher.
‘He’s had two really poor touches since coming on,’ Carragher said of the Dutch forward, who cost United around £36.5m. ‘He’s got to do better than that.
‘When you come on as a substitute you need to be lively and show something for your manager. He’s got to do better. He has been really poor since coming on.’
Zirkzee wasted no time before opening his account for Manchester United, scoring the winner on his debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham on the opening-day of the new season.
But the 24-year-old has failed to find the back of the net since then in a United team struggling for fluency in the final third.
Manchester United suffered a dismal 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford last weekend and then surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Porto on Thursday night.
It had been suggested that United could pull the trigger on Ten Hag if the team lost at Villa Park but they ground out a draw which could prove crucial to the Dutchman as we enter another international break.
‘I think drawing at Villa Park in any game is a decent result,’ Carragher added. ‘It’s a really tough place to go.
‘So Manchester United have done well, especially defensively. But we know it’s about more than just one game.’
Veteran Jonny Evans was handed a rare start for the Red Devils against Aston Villa and impressed, receiving the Player of the Match award from Carragher.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the stalemate, Evans said: ‘It wasn’t perfect and we didn’t pass as well as we’d like to. Point away from home against a good side.
‘We wanted to make sure we didn’t concede and we almost won it at the end.
‘They have good players so you’re never comfortable. You always have to be on your toes. We did well.’
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