FA issue statement on Man Utd striker Joshua Zirkzee’s controversial celebration
Joshua Zirkzee got a carried away during Man Utd’s win over Southampton(Credits: Alamy Live News.) Joshua Zirkzee has avoided a ban following his controversial celebration during Manchester United’s dramatic win over Southampton. The Red Devils launched a late comeback against the Premier League’s bottom side on Thursday, scoring three times in the closing stages with Amad Diallo registering the first hat-trick of his career. Zirkzee made an important contribution coming off the bench as a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, adding a physical presence and upredictable element to United’s forward line. The Netherlands international did get carried away following Diallo’s third goal, turning to the Stretford End and grabbing his crotch in a suggestive fashion. Jude Bellingham was handed a one-game ban and fined £25,000 for performing a similar gesture after England beat Slovakia at Euro 2024, sparking fears Zirkzee would face and Football Association punishment ahead of a crucial run of games. The governing body has, however, opted against taking action and issued a statement on Friday. It read: ‘As guidance, we have issued Joshua Zirkzee with a reminder of his responsibilities, and he will face no further action.’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Amorim, meanwhile, has warned United’s campaign will continue to be a ‘rollercoaster’ as players try to adjust to his system mid-season. Even in victory against the Saints, the need for a late fightback left big questions for United given they were up against a side with only six points from 21 Premier League games, on course for the worst campaign in league history. Amorim, whose warning in early December that the ‘storm will come’ for United preceded a run of six defeats in eight, admitted after Thursday’s victory that more ups and downs are inevitable. ‘I think it’s going to be hard until the end of the season,’ Amorim said. ‘It’s going to be a little bit that rollercoaster. Then it depends on the time you have to train. We are still in the cup and we have UEFA games for the Europa League. ‘Then it’s important also to focus on next Thursday (when Rangers visit Old Trafford) to win and to try to be in that top eight. In that way you can take two games from the schedule and have a full week so we are trying to do everything at the same time. Amad Diallo took home the match ball after Man Utd’ win over Southampton (Credits: IMAGO / Avalon) ‘We had seven trainings together in 14, 15 games. It’s really hard, but we have to continue and try to win it. Sometimes playing good, sometimes playing bad. We will try to win games.’ Amorim bluntly admitted United did not play well against the Saints, and suggested a number of players in his squad were tired, mentioning by name the big money summer signing Manuel Ugarte whose own goal late in the first half put Southampton on top. With Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday before next week’s clash with Rangers, there is no easing in the schedule for players to recover. Asked if it was a concern that a player who could cost United £50million was struggling to meet the demands of the schedule, Amorim said: ‘The players will get used to that. I’m trying to be honest with you guys. I talk openly about the game. You are focused on what I said about Ugarte. ‘Ugarte was tired because he did a great job against Liverpool. If you look at the game against Arsenal, maybe Ugarte and Bruno (Fernandes) were the best players against Liverpool. They didn’t play against Newcastle. I think that happens with all players in the Premier League.’
Joshua Zirkzee has avoided a ban following his controversial celebration during Manchester United’s dramatic win over Southampton.
The Red Devils launched a late comeback against the Premier League’s bottom side on Thursday, scoring three times in the closing stages with Amad Diallo registering the first hat-trick of his career.
Zirkzee made an important contribution coming off the bench as a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, adding a physical presence and upredictable element to United’s forward line.
The Netherlands international did get carried away following Diallo’s third goal, turning to the Stretford End and grabbing his crotch in a suggestive fashion.
Jude Bellingham was handed a one-game ban and fined £25,000 for performing a similar gesture after England beat Slovakia at Euro 2024, sparking fears Zirkzee would face and Football Association punishment ahead of a crucial run of games.
The governing body has, however, opted against taking action and issued a statement on Friday.
It read: ‘As guidance, we have issued Joshua Zirkzee with a reminder of his responsibilities, and he will face no further action.’
Amorim, meanwhile, has warned United’s campaign will continue to be a ‘rollercoaster’ as players try to adjust to his system mid-season.
Even in victory against the Saints, the need for a late fightback left big questions for United given they were up against a side with only six points from 21 Premier League games, on course for the worst campaign in league history.
Amorim, whose warning in early December that the ‘storm will come’ for United preceded a run of six defeats in eight, admitted after Thursday’s victory that more ups and downs are inevitable.
‘I think it’s going to be hard until the end of the season,’ Amorim said. ‘It’s going to be a little bit that rollercoaster. Then it depends on the time you have to train. We are still in the cup and we have UEFA games for the Europa League.
‘Then it’s important also to focus on next Thursday (when Rangers visit Old Trafford) to win and to try to be in that top eight. In that way you can take two games from the schedule and have a full week so we are trying to do everything at the same time.
‘We had seven trainings together in 14, 15 games. It’s really hard, but we have to continue and try to win it. Sometimes playing good, sometimes playing bad. We will try to win games.’
Amorim bluntly admitted United did not play well against the Saints, and suggested a number of players in his squad were tired, mentioning by name the big money summer signing Manuel Ugarte whose own goal late in the first half put Southampton on top.
With Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday before next week’s clash with Rangers, there is no easing in the schedule for players to recover.
Asked if it was a concern that a player who could cost United £50million was struggling to meet the demands of the schedule, Amorim said: ‘The players will get used to that. I’m trying to be honest with you guys. I talk openly about the game. You are focused on what I said about Ugarte.
‘Ugarte was tired because he did a great job against Liverpool. If you look at the game against Arsenal, maybe Ugarte and Bruno (Fernandes) were the best players against Liverpool. They didn’t play against Newcastle. I think that happens with all players in the Premier League.’
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