Ronald Koeman hands boost to struggling Manchester United star

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·19 novembre 2024

Ronald Koeman hands boost to struggling Manchester United star

Joshua Zirkzee is in contention to play for the Netherlands in their final UEFA Nations League fixture on Tuesday night.

The struggling Manchester United striker has been recalled by Ronald Koeman for the Netherland’s clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.

Vidéos OneFootball

Zirkzee has been included in the 23-man matchday squad after being left out of the team that beat Hungary 4-0 on Saturday.

Koeman named a 25-man squad for the November round of internationals – the final break until March – but there is only room for 23 players within the matchday squad.

This meant Zirkzee, along with Bournemouth forward Justin Kluivert, were dropped from the squad to take on Hungary at the weekend. The two players have been recalled to the squad to face Bosnia.

As a result, Koeman has decided to send Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong back to their clubs, as per The Athletic.

Koeman told reporters on Monday: “For both Frenkie and Virgil it is better for them to leave the training camp at this moment. That decision was taken on medical grounds, with of course the interest of the players coming first.”

Pundits in the Netherlands have stressed their concerns for Zirkzee under Ruben Amorim, even though they have yet to work together.

Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt look to impress in final Nations League encounter

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Netherlands have already booked their place in the Nations League quarter-finals after winning two, drawing two and losing just one of their first five matches.

United striker Zirkzee scored one goal in three of those five matches. He has the same tally in the Premier League but hasn’t scored for the Reds since his debut winner against Fulham on the opening night of the season.

Zirkzee is not the only United player included in the Dutch squad for tonight’s game. The former Bayern Munich and Bologna forward will be joined by Matthijs de Ligt, who is likely to start in the heart of defence.

Both players will return to Manchester after the game.