Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee was reportedly reduced to tears in the tunnel after being substituted in the first half of their Premier League clash with Newcastle.
Zirkzee was sacrificed by Man United boss Ruben Amorim after the Red Devils fell 2-0 down at home to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday night.
The £36.5million summer signing was brought off 33 minutes into the match, with a roar going up from the home fans as the Dutchman was brought off.
Having got to the bench, Zirkzee picked up his coat and quickly walked up the touchline before heading down the tunnel.
According to beIN Sports and Sky Germany, Zirkzee had been seen with tears in his eyes in the tunnel after being axed and jeered by Man United fans.
Zirkzee would ultimately return to the Man United bench a few minutes later clutching a water bottle.
Post-match, Amorim admitted Zirkzee is 'suffering' as he endures a difficult debut season since moving to the Premier League, adding the early switch had been a 'really, really tough' decision for him to make.
The Man United boss stressed Zirkzee remained an important player for the club and cited Harry Maguire as an example of a star working through a tough period at the club.
'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.
'You have to think about the team and also, sometimes about the player, because the player is suffering. I was there a few years ago and I know that he wants [it], because I saw it during the week, and that's the most important thing.
'He's a really good lad, so you'll have the support and you will prepare the next game.
'It's some moments, and you have some examples like Harry Maguire, that have some tough moments, but that is life in every profession.
'So we will support Josh and continue because, like I said, Newcastle were a better team. Was not better than Josh, was better than Manchester United.'
Amorim said the decision to remove Zirkzee was due to Man United needing another midfielder, with Kobbie Mainoo coming on to help the Red Devils gain a foothold in the match.
Man United were unable to fight back into the match, with first half goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton condemning Amorim's side to three consecutive home defeats for the first time in 45 years.
Zirkzee has made 27 appearances in all competitions for Man United since joining from Bologna in the summer, with the Dutchman scoring four goals and providing two assists.
Former Man United captain Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, had expressed sympathy for Zirkzee when the forward was hauled off.
'I actually feel sorry for him, I really do,' Neville said.
'I know that he's earning a lot of money here but there is a human being in there that's basically being cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal.
'I've not seen that too many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years that I've been coming here.'
Man United's latest defeat has left the club languishing in 14th place heading into the New Year, with Amorim's side seven points above the relegation zone.
poybcdlpuy
198
To be honest I really felt bad for him
jusnstz
37
all Manchester united paper/plastic fans isn't this coach doing the same thing Erik Ten Hag did "TALK"???🙄 after every defeat this man talk as if he's going to fix the problem.i say change the formation from what u did at sporting because u don't have the players to fit that system. SIMPLE mathematics
rotacdepsy
35
Waw
coackmnopz
21
Mr dear amorim this player is good, but the position you are putting him is bad he can't perform well, why did ruud vaanisteroy managed the team well your selection of players is not good.
Nikechukwu
17
I feel Amorim is to blame for the whole shenanigans. At least wait till the Second half, or call him to the sideline and give a different instruction for the time being. Zirkzee can flourish under a tiki-taka system so if you want to play him then create a system for him to flourish. He played out of position and then you humiliate him. I hope the coach apologises. I feel angry because other top teams were in for Zirkzee but his agent convinced him to choose Man Utd, bad choice. And also, Amorim is an inexperienced coach, only coached in Portugal, meaning language and expression of ideas would be a tough ask for him in Man Utd...
pocabemoy
12
keep abusing innocent players because the fault is not with them. Try to understand the game. The formations keep changing and players play out of position. United is staring relegation in the face. At least we won't have to put up with those disrespectful fans
yuoaeikmny
12
I feel sorry for him but it's all the coaches fault why did he start him in the first place. Also you can not win a match when start Case and Erickson the same time in the midfield. I think the rotation is enough get your starting 11 and 5 best bench for at least 5 games then we can say the players are not good.
Thomasprezzo
11
I think players at Manchester United are even losing their confidence, just look at how deadly Garnacho was and how he is losing every ball now, look at how the defenders are so worse and it’s like they can’t even make a single clearance, sometimes I think the coach need to abandon this playing style of 3-4-2-1 because it’s really costing the team a lot, especially that currently the team is not in possession of good players to reinforce that system. It’s better he goes back to old system while he is getting the players of his choice.