Man Utd given major injury blow as striker set to miss the rest of the season

Manchester United have been rocked with news that Joshua Zirkzee could be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024-25 season after suffering a serious hamstring injury in Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.

The Dutch striker, who started up top at St James’ Park, pulled up clutching his leg in the 56th minute and was helped off by physios, replaced by Rasmus Højlund.

Ruben Amorim confirmed post-match that Zirkzee faces a spell out, with initial tests suggesting a grade two hamstring tear, according to sources close to the club.

Such an injury typically requires six to eight weeks’ recovery, potentially stretching to mid-June if complications arise—effectively ending his campaign with just five Premier League games left after Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon.

“It doesn’t look good,” Amorim admitted. “Joshua’s in pain—we’ll know more after scans.”

Zirkzee, signed from Bologna for £36.5m last summer, has had a mixed season, scoring seven goals in 48 appearances, including a crucial header in the 2-2 draw at Lyon last week.

His resilience after being booed off by United fans in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle on December 30 won plaudits, with Amorim praising his “mental resolve” for netting twice in Europe since.

But this blow—sustained while sprinting to chase a Bruno Fernandes pass—leaves United short upfront, especially with Højlund linked to a £52m Juventus move.

Scans on Monday revealed the extent of the damage, and United’s medical team are bracing for a worst-case scenario, per reports.

The 24-year-old’s absence is a gut-punch for Amorim, who’s leaned on Zirkzee’s link-up play in his 3-4-2-1 system, despite earlier criticism from Paul Scholes, who claimed he “doesn’t know what Zirkzee brings.”

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman also snubbed him for March’s international squad, citing form, though Zirkzee’s Lyon goal showed flickers of promise.

Fans on X are gutted: one wrote, “Zirkzee’s out for the season? Our attack’s cursed!” Another urged, “Time for Højlund to step up.”

United, languishing in 14th, face Lyon needing a win to keep Champions League hopes alive, but with Zirkzee likely joining Amad Diallo (ankle, May return) and possibly Matthijs de Ligt (knock) on the sidelines, the squad’s stretched thin. Amorim’s hinted at youth call-ups, with Harry Amass in contention.

Zirkzee’s Instagram post with Fernandes after March’s 3-0 Leicester win showed his dressing-room bond, but this setback could halt his momentum. United’s next steps hinge on Wednesday’s medical update—fingers crossed it’s not season over for the Dutchman.