Man United forward to miss rest of season due to injury

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that forward Joshua Zirkzee will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Zirkzee was forced to limp off the pitch during United’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend, visibly distressed as he was assisted off the field.

United will now depend on Rasmus Hojlund and Chido Obi-Martin as the club’s only recognised centre-forwards for the rest of the season.

Hojlund has scored eight goals in 41 appearances across all competitions this season, while his 17-year-old counterpart, Obi-Martin, is still searching for his first goal for the first team

“Joshua is out for the season,” said Amorim. “So he’s not going to play more this season. Let’s prepare him for the next one.

“It’s tough, especially in this moment. I think he’s improving in all aspects of the game, so it’s hard for any player to stop, but this is football and he has to be ready now to recover.”

Joshua Zirkzee has netted seven goals and provided three assists in 48 appearances. Notably, he found the back of the net in both of the club’s Europa League away matches against Real Sociedad and Lyon.

Zirkzee was forced off in the 55th minute against Newcastle after appearing to pull up with a hamstring issue

The Netherlands international made the switch to United from Bologna in July, in a deal valued at €42.5m (£36.7m).

He penned a five-year contract with an additional 12-month option.

Zirkzee had a standout 2023-24 season with Bologna, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 11 goals and five assists, playing a crucial role in securing the team’s first-ever Champions League qualification in 60 years.

Amorim also confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Onana will be reinstated to the starting line-up for Thursday’s game at Old Trafford.

United drew 2-2 in France last Thursday, with Onana coming under scrutiny for both of Lyon’s goals. He was subsequently omitted from the squad that lost to Newcastle over the weekend.