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4 months ago
37 Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has urged Ronald Koeman to make a change to his team that will take on England in the European Championship semi-finals on Wednesday night.
The change would see Memphis Depay, who spent 18 months at United between 2015-2017, dropped from the team after starting every game for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
Koeman has made changes to his team throughout the tournament, proving to be a more flexible coach than England’s Gareth Southgate.
Depay has kept his place in the Netherlands side, despite failing to set the pitch alight in Germany. He has scored just one goal and registered one assist in the first five games.
Speaking ahead of the semi-final, Meulensteen told Free Bets (via Metro) that Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee should start ahead of Depay. The young Dutch forward has been heavily linked with a move to United this summer.
“I like Joshua Zirkzee,” Meulensteen said. “He’s young, a good height, tall, mobile, a good season at Bologna last year.
“I’m not Ronald Koeman, but if I was, I’d start him against England rather than Depay.
“He’ll cause many more problems, he’s much more of a striker in front to tie the centre backs up, rather than Depay who drops deep. It leaves centre-backs of the opposition with nothing to worry about.
“Zirkzee, he’s young but creates that level of unpredictability. He’s technically a very good player.”
Zirkzee made his international debut as a late substitute (87th minute) in the quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals and registered seven assists in 37 games last season. He silenced critics following a transfer from Bayern Munich by helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League.
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