Manchester United’s woes continued as they suffered a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United on Monday. The defeat extended the Red Devils’ losing streak to four games, leaving them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.

The match took a particularly emotional toll on forward Joshua Zirkzee, who was substituted just 33 minutes into the first half. The £36.5 million summer signing was jeered by his own supporters as he made his way off the pitch, with reports indicating he was left in tears in the tunnel afterwards.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the difficulty of the decision to remove Zirkzee, admitting the Dutch striker is “suffering” amid his difficult debut season in England. Amorim stressed that the early switch was necessary for the team, bringing on Kobbie Mainoo to help United gain a foothold in the match.

“I talked with Josh about that, because it’s important to express the message, but I’m always thinking about the team, and, in that moment, it was important for the team for Josh to go out,” Amorim told Sky Sports.

The United boss pointed to the example of Harry Maguire as a player who has weathered tough spells at the club, emphasizing that the club will continue to support Zirkzee as he navigates this challenging period.

The defeat leaves United seven points clear of the relegation zone, a concerning position for a club of their stature. Veteran defender Gary Neville labeled the current United side as “the worst pound-for-pound team in the country,” highlighting the significant work required to turn around their fortunes.

As the new year approaches, Amorim and his players will need to find a way to quickly arrest their slide and restore confidence within the squad and among the fanbase. The emotional scenes surrounding Zirkzee’s substitution serve as a stark reminder of the mounting pressure at Old Trafford.