Joshua Zirkzee was in tears after his penalty miss. (Image: Getty)
A distraught Joshua Zirkzee was comforted by his Manchester United team-mates after his penalty miss confined his side to an FA Cup exit against Fulham. The Dutch forward played the full 120 minutes of the last-16 clash, which ended 1-1.
Calvin Bassey had headed the visitors into the lead in first-half injury time, before levelled with 19 minutes left. Zirkzee almost created a late winner for Alejandro Garnacho, but the Argentine saw his shot saved by Bernd Leno after going clean through on goal.
The home side had more of the pressure in the extra 30 minutes, but failed to find a way through. Both sides then converted their first three penalties each before the moment swung Fulham’s way.
United replacement Victor Lindelof saw his effort saved by Leno, before Callum Robinson scored for the Cottagers. That left Zirkzee needing to score just to keep his side in it.
However, his tame effort to Leno’s left-hand side was comfortably kept out by the Germany keeper. And as Fulham’s players and coaches celebrated wildly, the 23-year-old sunk to his knees in despair.
Man Utd players gather around Zirkzee. (Image: Getty)
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The likes of Diogo Dalot, , and Ayden Heaven then came over to console the forward. Manager also later offered his hand to help his player back to his feet.
However, Zirkzee continued to cut a downbeat figure as he trudged towards the changing rooms with tears in eyes. In his post-match interview though, Amorim refused to single out him and Lindelof for their misses.
Instead, he focused on all the takers, saying: “I try to relax the players and they know that it is something that is technical but you have to be relaxed and confident.”
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