Ruben Amorim discovers daunting first task at Man Utd as club chiefs make call on £40m flop

Ruben Amorim is faced with the task of repairing the shattered confidence of £40million flop Joshua Zirkzee when he takes over as manager of .

Amorim has arrived in Manchester after quitting Sporting Lisbon to succeed Erik ten Hag. And although he is waiting for a work permit to be rubber stamped before he can start work on the training pitch, the Portuguese coach is aware that Zirkzee is at rock bottom.

The Dutchman didn’t even make the bench for Holland’s Nations League qualifier against Hungary. Netherlands’ coach Ronald Koeman ordered Zirkzee to watch from the stands after deciding his miserable United form needs to be addressed by his new club boss.

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Zirkzee has scored just once in 17 appearances for United following his summer arrival from Bologna. He has started just four games as the Reds’ poor form prompted the club to sack Ten Hag and bring in Amorim.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was unbeaten in his four games as Ten Hag’s temporary replacement. But Zirkzee’s inability to settle in Manchester is a big cause for concern inside Old Trafford.

Club chiefs are hoping Amorim can help the 23-year-old to show why they bought him. Koeman’s decision to leave him out was a huge blow.

Asked about the striker’s lack of confidence, Koeman said: “I know the reason and I have my opinion about it - but I don't want to share this at the moment.”

Holland’s coach was hoping Zirkzee’s move to United would have a galvanising effect - and has started him in two internationals since he played just a few minutes at the Euros.

Former Holland striker Wim Kieft believes Amorim could already be thinking about selling Zirkzee on. Kieft said: “I fear for Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Manchester United. He was brought in by Erik ten Hag, but has hardly scored and lacks quality for top level.

“Now a new manager comes in and if Ruben Amorim judges that he is too light and in effective for United, things will get really difficult for Zirkzee.”

Koeman has put his faith in , the 32-year-old reject who spent six months on loan at United two years ago, and Ajax’s Brian Brobbey, who has not scored in the Eredivisie this season.

Kieft added: “Weghorst is no more than a sub. You can’t play football with him. All he can do is create a bit of a war up front.

“None of the three strikers are good enough for the level which is required and none of them are good enough to start in a game for their country.”

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