Casemiro has just agreed with Ruben Amorim on £36.5m Man United transfer - 'He has more quality'

When he was jeered off the pitch at Old Trafford in Manchester United's last game of 2024, very few would have expected Joshua Zirkzee to recover.

His first-half substitution was a new low to a career at Old Trafford that had already been patchy at best. And yet, since that untimely exit, Zirkzee has managed to mend his relationship with the United fan-base and has arguably been one of the club's better performers in a difficult run of form.

One of the reasons for this upturn in form is likely due to his newfound position in the squad. Ruben Amorim has chosen to move Zirkzee back into a No.10 role that suits him a lot better than being the lone striker at the top of the pitch.

Signs of this move were hinted at at the beginning of January when Zirkzee was scrutinised for laying the ball off to Harry Maguire instead of striking for goal in the final moments against Liverpool. "For me, I think it was the perfect decision, because he can shoot, but he put the ball more in the centre," Amorim admitted post-match.

"The ball was really slow for Harry to score, but sometimes you cannot do it. But Josh made a good decision in my opinion."

Anyone watching that match would be able to say with certainty that a striker should be taking that shot rather than squaring the ball to a centre-back. But, it was clear that Amorim backs Zirkzee to be a link-up player than an out-and-out finisher.

Over recent weeks, Amorim has chosen to utilise the Dutchman deeper and that has been fruitful so far. While the goals may not have been free-flowing for United, there are definite signs that this is the role that suits Zirkzee best.

This has even been confirmed by one of Zirkzee's teammates following his goal in the 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.