MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of their huge Europa League showdown with Lyon on Thursday.
Joshua Zirkzee appeared to pull up and clutch his hamstring before hitting the deck during United’s clash with Newcastle.
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The 23-year-old had been enjoying a decent performance in the North East.
But it was brutally cut short soon after the break at St James Park.
Zirkzee was seen clutching the back of his leg with the Red Devils trailing 2-1.
He was aided by Toon forward Joelinton and following treatment had to be helped from the field by medics.
United boss Ruben Amorim was seen with his head in his hands on the touchline.
Rasmus Hojlund was called from the bench to replace the Dutchman and is now United’s only fit striker.
One United fan groaned on X: “Zirkzee, by far, United’s best number 9 at the club. Now injured ahead of the most important game of the season. Absolutely awful.”
Another said: “Zirkzee gonna leave us with hojlund bro.”
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While a third added: “Losing Zirkzee for Thursday is gutting. Having to rely on Hojlund will be like playing with 10 men.”
And a fourth commented: “Tbf I don’t care about the result, I expected it anyway but the Zirkzee injury is an absolute disaster.”
United welcome Lyon to Old Trafford on Thursday with the tie poised at 2-2.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana committed two howlers and paid with his place in the starting XI on Sunday.
The Cameroon international stayed back in the North West as the squad travelled to Tyneside on Saturday evening.
Onana’s snub comes after SunSport exclusively revealed some team-mates wanted him AXED after his Europa League blunders.
But he’s been told by Amorim he is being rested and will be back in the team for the return leg against the French giants.
Turkish understudy Altay Bayindir made his Prem debut but had a day to forget, with Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali finding the net.
And it got worst for Bayindir as his loose pass straight to Joelinton saw Bruno Guimaraes score Newcastle’s fourth in a drubbing at St James’ Park.
