Joshua Zirkzee is set to be handed his first start of the season in a shock move by Ruben Amorim in tonight’s Monday night clash against Everton.
Only academy centre back Tyler Fredricson has had fewer minutes in the first team this season than Zirkzee, who has a total of 90 in all competitions.
But Daily Mail Sport understands that the Dutchman is set to start against Everton in a huge opportunity for him to stake his claim for more regular minutes.
United are already without £73.7million striker Benjamin Sesko, who is set to be sidelined for around a month with a knee problem sustained before the international break at Tottenham Hotspur.
Amorim was also handed an injury scare heading into the game when Matheus Cunha picked up a minor knock in training on Saturday which was enough to see him pull out of a Christmas lights switch on in Altrincham.
Zirkzee has fallen down the pecking order for club and country, leaving his hopes of making the Netherlands’ squad hanging by a thread unless he can start getting regular play time.
Joshua Zirkzee is set to be handed his first start of the season tonight against Everton
He deputises for the injured Benjamin Sesko, who has been ruled out after being withdrawn against Tottenham Hotspur
Zirkzee has fallen out of manager Ruben Amorim’s plans this season and has played just 90 minutes in all competitions
Speaking on Friday, Amorim was philosophical about whether moves away for Zirkzee, and others such as Kobbie Mainoo, would be entertained in January.
‘The first thing is that the club comes first, so we have to think about the club and the team and then everything can happen,’ Amorim said.
‘I was a football player. I understand everything and I want to help my players in every situation, so I don’t know what is going to happen.
‘I want my players happy. I understand the frustration of some players, seeing that the World Cup is there, and I know what it means for the World Cup but Manchester United comes first.
‘So if I can help the club and the players, I will be happy, if not I have to think about the team.’
But while Zirkzee is frustrated, sources inside the club have long reiterated that he has been desperate to get the chance to turn things around and has never lost hope that one would arrive.
Elsewhere, 18-year-old academy star Shea Lacey is in the matchday squad and among the substitutes as he bids to make his first team debut after impressing Amorim in recent months.
