Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has unleashed a scathing attack on Joshua Zirkzee following the striker’s role in a missed opportunity that could have handed the Red Devils a last-gasp victory against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. The thrilling Premier League encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, but it was a moment in the dying embers of the match that left Ferdinand seething.
With mere seconds remaining on the clock, Zirkzee, who had come on as a substitute, played a bobbly pass to his teammate Harry Maguire inside the Liverpool penalty area. The England international, presented with a golden opportunity to snatch all three points for United, could only manage to spoon his effort over the crossbar, leaving the visitors to rue what could have been.
Days after the pulsating draw, Ferdinand, a United legend and current pundit, took to his podcast, “Rio Ferdinand Presents,” to express his frustration with Zirkzee’s actions. The former England captain made it clear that had he been in Maguire’s position, he would have wasted no time in calling out the Dutch striker’s “stupidness” in the dressing room.
“After all of it, I would have gone in the changing room and gone, ‘Bruv, what type of stupidness was that?! What type of pass was that?! We could have won the game!'” Ferdinand exclaimed. “But Zirkzee is lacking in confidence so he [Maguire] ain’t going to do that. It’s detail, bro. You know what it’s like? Talk to somebody like you want to be talked to. Pass how you want to receive. Same thing.”
Ferdinand’s impassioned outburst highlights the fine margins that often separate victory from disappointment in the high-stakes world of Premier League football. A single moment of indecision or a misplaced pass can have far-reaching consequences, as United discovered to their detriment at Anfield.
Zirkzee, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer from Bayern Munich for a hefty £36 million (€42.5m/$46m) fee, has struggled to make a significant impact since his move to England. The 23-year-old has managed just four goals and two assists in 28 appearances across all competitions, leading many to question whether the investment has been justified.
Despite Ferdinand’s pointed criticism, Zirkzee has received backing from his head coach, Ruben Amorim, and club captain, Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder, who has been a driving force behind United’s resurgence in recent seasons, has publicly supported his teammate, emphasizing the importance of unity and cohesion within the squad.
However, the numbers paint a stark picture of Zirkzee’s struggles. The former Bologna forward has failed to replicate the form that saw him earmarked as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers during his time in the Bundesliga. His wayward pass to Maguire at Anfield served as a microcosm of his difficulties in adapting to the rigors and demands of English football.
As United prepare to face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday, Zirkzee will be desperate to atone for his error and prove his worth to the team. The Dutchman’s talent is undeniable, but he must quickly find a way to translate that potential into consistent performances on the pitch if he is to justify his hefty price tag and silence his critics.
Ferdinand’s scathing assessment of Zirkzee’s actions may seem harsh, but it underscores the immense pressure and expectation that comes with donning the famous red shirt of Manchester United. In a club steeped in history and accustomed to success, every player is expected to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
For Zirkzee, the road ahead is clear. He must use the criticism as fuel to drive his improvement, honing his skills and decision-making to ensure that he becomes an asset, rather than a liability, to his team. Only then will he be able to win over the likes of Ferdinand and cement his place in the hearts of the United faithful.
