Joshua Zirkzee out for the season with hamstring injury, Manchester United forward’s head coach Ruben Amorim ruled on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old limped off in the first half of Sunday’s 4-1 defeat by Newcastle United and was substituted at the beginning of the second half by Rasmus Hojlund. Zirkzee has only scored three times in 32 games in the league this season – a struggle for goals this campaign even if he has not only had to battle for a starting spot – but he has been a mainstay under Amorim, playing in 31 of 32 matches since the manager came in.
“Joshua’s out for the season. He will not play anymore this season, let’s prepare him for the next one,” he told reporters ahead of United’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon. “It’s a hard time for him, especially now. He’s getting better in every single area and it’s impossible for a player to stop.”
Zirkzee’s absence is a blow for United who are hoping to salvage a disappointing season with glory in the Europa League, their last shot at silverware and a place in Europe next season.
Amorim acknowledged that Champions League qualification will impact the club’s planning: “It’s much more of a budget question. Champions League can change everything.
United’s next league game is at Wolves on Sunday.
