Ronald Koeman gives damning response to question on Man Utd's Joshua Zirkzee

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman refused to answer questions about out-of-sorts Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee following 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Zirkzee has been struggling for goals since his £36.5m summer move from Bologna. He hasn't scored in any of his last 14 games for United and it was hoped he could recapture some form while away on international duty. But the ex-Bayern Munich forward once more failed to find the net.

He missed a gilt-edged chance to double Holland's first half lead against Bosnia and Herzegovina and that proved costly as their rivals later equalised to take a point. Zirkzee was deployed in the No.10 role behind Brian Brobbey but cut a dejected figure for large parts of the Nations League encounter and was hauled off in the 77th minute.

Replaced by former United loanee Wout Weghorst, it was another opportunity lost for the player to spark his season and it remains to be seen where new Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim will utilise him for his first game at Ipswich on Sunday.

Koeman certainly wasn't in any mood to discuss the player - linked with a loan move to Juventus - in the aftermath of Holland's draw. In the post-match press conference, he was asked about Zirkzee's display but responded: "My thoughts on Zirkzee’s performance? I am not going to talk about individual player performances."

Played out in front of a crowd of just 4,134, he appeared to criticise the state of the hosts' Stadion Bilino Polje playing surface. Koeman said: "The pitch was very difficult to play on. Many players slipped. But despite this, we controlled the game quite well until the last half an hour."

Reports have claimed that that Amorim could look to upgrade Zirkzee either in January or in the summer window. Viktor Gyokeres is the outstanding candidate to do so, despite suggestions that the former Sporting boss won't raid his former employers for their brightest talents.

Image: Michael Regan) Michael Regan)

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who served as interim prior to Amorim's arrival, vouched for Zirkzee, predicting will things come right for his compatriot. “Josh is similar to Manuel Ugarte’s situation,” said Van Nistelrooy earlier this month.

“Josh came in, he’s a young player with a lot of potential. He’s a typical number nine in the sense of his hold-up play is very good, he’s very strong in the combination play, he’s a different type than Rasmus. Rasmus is more of a nine that plays higher up on the pitch, getting in the back of defenders and Josh is more the one coming to the ball and getting the team playing.

“The Crystal Palace game, he was excellent, it was one of his best performances and showed his potential. Another one with a lot of talent. A good age, a lot of potential to develop, look after, give him time, he will get better and better and better, and I think also will be a very good player for this club,” he added.

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