Neville praises key moment for Zirkzee in Man Utd win over Arsenal

Gary Neville has lauded Joshua Zirkzee for his composure under pressure during the Red Devils’ dramatic FA Cup third-round shootout win against Arsenal.

The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, but United triumphed 5-3 in the penalty shootout, with Zirkzee converting the decisive spot-kick to secure a fourth-round clash against Leicester City at Old Trafford next month.

The Dutch striker, who joined United from Bologna last summer, was swarmed by his teammates after the winning penalty, while the traveling supporters chanted his name—a stark contrast to the jeers he received less than two weeks earlier.

Zirkzee faced harsh criticism from some fans during United’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United at Old Trafford, where he was substituted in the first half.

The 23-year-old’s substitution was met with ironic cheers, and he walked straight down the tunnel before returning moments later.

The reaction highlighted the challenges he has faced in adapting to life at United.

Writing on LinkedIn, Neville reflected on Zirkzee’s turnaround and commended his courage in taking such a crucial penalty under immense pressure.

"A few weeks back, Joshua Zirkzee was subbed off, and I described the reaction at the time on commentary as brutal. I felt sorry for him in that moment," he said.

Neville acknowledged the rumours surrounding Zirkzee’s potential departure but credited the striker’s determination to bounce back

"There have been noises that he may even leave because of it. He's a young player who has had a tough start to his United career during a challenging period for the club with the managerial change and results," he said.

"Sometimes those reactions from the crowd happen, and it's difficult for any player to deal with."

Neville highlighted Zirkzee’s decision to step up in a high-pressure moment as a testament to his character.

"To take the final pressure penalty yesterday at the Emirates is exactly the response you want to see from a player after a tough moment like that," he said. "You could see the reaction from the other players towards him and what it meant to everyone."

While Neville noted that Zirkzee still has much to prove, he emphasized the significance of this moment in boosting the striker’s confidence.

"It will have been a rough moment for him the other week, and he still has a long way to go, but scoring that penalty and hearing the United fans singing his name was a great pick-me-up moment for him," he said.

Zirkzee’s composed performance and the support he received from his teammates and fans signal a potential turning point in his United career as the team looks ahead to their next challenge in the FA Cup.