Manchester United 'in the gutter' as fans clash over 'disgusting' Joshua Zirkzee treatment
Manchester United's current fiasco hit a new low during Monday's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle.
Goals from Alejandro Isak and Joelinton gave the Magpies the most comfortable three points they will get this season.
But as Eddie Howe's side cruised to victory, United's weaknesses were unraveling both on and off the pitch.
On a despondent night when nothing went right for the 20-time English champions, a despondent United hit rock bottom in arguably the club's lowest moment since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
united boss Ruben Amorim described the defeat as “one of the most difficult moments in the history of manchester united' and admitted that the club cannot rule out the possibility of a downhill scrap.
Few would disagree with the Portuguese coach, who must now find a way to get his team out of deep trouble ahead of the key matches against Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Red Devils have recorded their worst start to a Premier League season with just 22 points from 19 games and the club has fallen to 14th place.
Firstly, Amorim faces the task of raising the summer signing of Joshua Zirkzee, who replaced after only 34 minuteswith United trailing 2-0 and needing quick intervention.
The substitution was greeted with boos and ironic applause from large sections of the Old Trafford crowd, to the anger and disappointment of both the pundits and the fans scattered around the pitch.
Reports from the field suggested that Zirkzee was crying as he picked up his coat and headed straight for the tunnel…
Fans who booed Zirkzee are 'disgusting'
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Zirkzee was made a scapegoat and the fans who booed him should be ashamed.
“I didn't like it, I thought it was disgusting that some of the Manchester United fans were cheering him on the way out,” he said. Agbonlahor.
“He's a young guy, 23 years old, a new signing who hasn't settled in yet.
“New signings don't always go well on their first outings. “I just felt sorry for him.”
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He continued: “I just didn't like it, it wasn't enjoyable. There is no more shame than being substituted in the first half, it is worse than being a substitute who is substituted.
“I don't think he was worse than (Amad) Diallo or worse than (Rasmus) Hojlund. I don't think I had to take it off. I think he had to take casemiro or (Christian) Eriksen and put (Kobbie) Mainoo in there.
“(Lisandro) Martínez should have been dragged off after 34 minutes, not made a scapegoat of Zirkzee.
“Amorim will look back on that and think 'yeah, maybe it was a little tough to get him out after 34 minutes'.”
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Fans faced each other in the stands.
However, not all Manchester United fans joined Zirkzee.
“For me, that was disgusting,” said Manchester United fan Lee, who called into the talkSPORT studio to express his disappointment at Zirkzee's treatment by his teammates.
“There were a lot of arguments and almost fights in the stadium with many United fans who were testing the corporate reserves.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe is going to reap what he sows here, selling £40 tickets for hundreds of pounds to attract these corporations.
“They are criticizing a young player like Joshua Zirkzee when all the players could be booed.”
United 'in the gutter'
Meanwhile, many supporters believe the real blame should lie at the highest levels, with serious doubts hanging over owners Ratcliffe and INEOS.
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In addition to the club's misfortunes on the field of play, Ratcliffe has caused widespread unrest among fans with numerous cost reduction measures.
“All we have are broken hearts,” said Alan, a Manchester United fan for 50 years. “People keep looking at the results, they don't realize how bad the club is.
“This club is in the gutter. I've been going since I was six years old, now I'm 56.
“I've seen it all, but in that last month I've never seen it so bad.
“The people who sit around me and who I have known for a long time say the same thing. “We no longer want to go back.”
