Rejecting transfer to Italy and Fernandes chat - the new fan favourite at Manchester United

The tune from the away section half-an-hour in at Anfield was familiar: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. The name wasn't.

That six-syllable chorus had long been reserved for, 'Oh, Robin van Persie' among Manchester United supporters. Last month, a different Dutchman was serenaded to the song.

Joshua Zirkzee's warm-up in the first half at Liverpool marked a sea change. A week that had started with one of the most galling humiliations for a United player at Old Trafford ended with vocal support. It could have got better had Harry Maguire kept Zirkzee's bobbly square pass down in added time.

It did get better a week later in the FA Cup third round at Arsenal. After Leny Yoro converted in the shootout to put United 3-1 up, Bruno Fernandes prodded Zirkzee in the chest and offered him a few words. The message: be ready to win it.

Lisandro Martinez scored United's fourth spotkick, so Zirkzee stepped up for the fifth. United fans had promised, "If Zirkzee scores, we're on the pitch". Zirkzee held up his end of the bargain. United were in the velvet bag for the fourth round draw.

And the fifth. Their progress to the last 16 of the FA Cup is largely down to Zirkzee's impact against Leicester City on Friday night. He equalised and his general play ensured United rendered the memory of the stultifying first hour inconsequential.

The 23-year-old is becoming an unlikely cult figure at United. The loyalists among the matchgoers railed against the heckles and booing Zirkzee was subjected to when he was removed in the 33rd minute against Newcastle and now a match does not go by without an airing of Zirkzee's chant.

He has only got five goals in 36 appearances and Zirkzee has failed to score in 32 of those. But it is one more than