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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Zirkzee mocked for poor form</li><li>Yet to find long-term position</li><li>O'Neill digs out Dutchman</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'9.5 must be a shoe size!' - Joshua Zirkzee destroyed for 'not scoring and not being creative' as Man Utd star's position remains subject of debate

Premier League

Manchester United

Manchester City

<p>Zirkzee, who moved to Manchester United from Bologna last summer, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-s-joshua-zirkzee-message-netherlands-boss-ronald-koeman--snubbed-for-latest-oranje-squad/bltdcbbca759dd4ba33#cs912eb01e30726719" target="_blank">has had a difficult debut campaign at Old Trafford</a>. He has appeared in 44 matches for the club thus far and has scored only six goals and provided three assists across all competitions. While the player has started regularly under Ruben Amorim in 2025, the Netherlands international's exact position of play is yet to be clearly defined, with he himself claiming he is a '9.5', somewhere between a striker and attacking midfielder.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ahead of United's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at City ground on Tuesday, former Reds boss O'Neill slammed Zirkzee for his terrible form and mocked the player for not being able to perform either as a No.9 or a No.10 in the team.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking on <a href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1907137154054262970" target="_blank"><em>TNT Sports</em></a>, the 73-year-old said: "He's found a new position. He doesn't know whether he's a No.9, he doesn't know whether he's a No.10. You (Rio Ferdinand) said nine-and-a-half, that must be a shoe size! It's a lovely position, it's one I'd love to have played myself as a player, that one player who can just disappear.</p><p>"You're not a No.9, so you don't have to worry about scoring a goal, you're not a No.10 because you're not being creative, and you're in a position where you don't know where you are."</p>

WHAT MARTIN O'NEILL SAID

<p>After facing Forest on Tuesday, the Red Devils will be back in action this weekend as they host rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford in a Premier League clash.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

'9.5 must be a shoe size!' - Joshua Zirkzee destroyed for 'not scoring and not being creative' as Man Utd star's position remains subject of debate | Goal.com

Legendary former player and manager Martin O&apos;Neill mocked Joshua Zirkzee as the Dutch player&apos;s struggles continue at Manchester United.

&apos;9.5 must be a shoe size!&apos; - Joshua Zirkzee destroyed for &apos;not scoring and not being creative&apos; as Man Utd star&apos;s position remains subject of debate

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