Man United accidentally signed a player perfect for Ruben Amorim - but now they have to sell him

“I occasionally drop down to midfield. I don't do that for myself but to help the team. I am what I call a false striker. Not a No.9, not a No.10. I am a 9.5! That's my game."

Far from the striker Manchester United needed to sign.

Joshua Zirkzee admitted himself that he wasn't an out-and-out centre forward following his move to United, despite being brought to the club to provide cover and competition for Rasmus Hojlund.

Zirkzee's tendency to drop into pockets of space meant he was never a genuine candidate to lead United's frontline, though he became something of a cult hero for the way he bounced back from his career nadir against Newcastle, where his first-half removal was sarcastically cheered by some fans.

While his style of play didn't lend itself to leading the attack, the 3-4-2-1 system Ruben Amorim brought with him following his mid-season appointment meant Zirkzee could operate as one of the two No.10s behind the striker. He was still chosen to play as the sole centre forward at times but looked far more comfortable when operating in slightly a deeper role.

United may not have signed him to play as a No.10 but there's no doubting that's where he's looked best since his Old Trafford arrival. Though that doesn't mean he should stay at the club.

For all their issues, United have plenty of options at No.10. Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount could be joined by Bryan Mbeumo on the list of options available to Amorim behind the striker. Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Kobbie Mainoo have all played as a No.10 under Amorim, and so that's six potential options even working under the assumption they manage to offload Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

Zirkzee would be ahead of some of the aforementioned