'That's brutal': Joshua Zirkzee, a £36m signing from Manchester United, was humiliatingly taken off after 30 minutes and booed by his own fans.

Joshua Zirkzee was sarcastically cheered by Manchester United fans when he was “brutally” substituted in the first half against Newcastle.

The Dutch striker started the match but was removed by Kobbie Mainoo in the 33rd minute with the magpies 2-0 underway and United at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee walked towards him. United bench and grabbed a coat before heading to the side of the field.

Fans in the Old Trafford stands could be heard booing the 23-year-old as he walked off the pitch before disappearing down the tunnel.

However, this was momentary as Zirkzee returned to the bench as United played the rest of the first half needing a response.

Zirkzee joined United from Bologna in the summer on a five-year deal for a fee of £36.5m.

He has yet to produce good results for United, with just three goals in 18 Premier League games, and impatience among the Red Devils faithful is growing.

Commenting on Sky Sports, Red Devils legend Gary Neville said of the boos directed at the young striker: “I really feel for him, I really do.

“I know he's making a lot of money, but there's a human being there who's basically being applauded by his own fans.

“That's brutal. I haven't seen him many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years I've been coming here.”

He added: “He's had enough and I don't really blame him, (it's) a huge shame.

“I hope some of the fans give him something. He hasn't played well, let's be clear, everyone has been absolutely horrible.”

Neville also called United the “pound-for-pound worst team in the country” as their problems were evident once again in a disastrous first half.

Alexander Isak opened the scoring for Newcastle with an unmarked header with just four minutes gone.

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Joelinton doubled the visitors' lead later in the half, and Sandro Tonali went very close to a third when he hit the post.

United fans were heard booing at the half-time whistle after a first 45 minutes in which they were seriously off the pace.

The defeat would be Rubén Amorim's sixth in 11 games since he took over as coach in November.

It would also extend United's losing streak to four in all competitions as problems continue to mount.

Amorim can turn to Marcus Rashford in the second half if necessary after his return to the team of an absence of four games.