(Video) Van Nistelrooy spotted consoling dejected United man after being substituted during Liverpool loss

Joshua Zirkzee endured a discouraging 85 minutes of action on his maiden Manchester United start.  

Erik ten Hag had opted to grant the summer recruit his first start of the campaign, having utilised the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount in false-nine roles in the opening two matches.

Zirkzee, being one of only two out-and-out centre-forwards in the squad, was given the tedious task of going toe-to-toe with Liverpool’s formidable backline, who were yet to concede a goal heading into the game.

And, as somewhat expected, Virgil van Dijk and co. were taking no prisoners this time around. They stifled the No.11 every time he received the ball and cut off any runs into the channel that Zirkzee or Marcus Rashford were trying to make.

Read more: One United player managed to do something in 22 minutes that none of his teammates could all game vs Liverpool

The 23-year-old went on to miss a sitter late in the game, and although it wouldn’t have made the greatest of difference to the scoreline, it would’ve counted for something had Zirkzee notched two goals in three matches while still transitioning to the English top-flight.

Understandably, he looked exasperated when taking to the substitutes’ bench for the final five minutes of the clash, but Ruud van Nistelrooy was there to give him a consoling pat on the back.

🎥 – Nistelrooy consoling Zirkzee after being subbed off ❤️

So our new striker makes his first start, and our fans already saying we shouldn't have signed him?

It's just 3 games, how about give him time to settle in instead of bringing him down? pic.twitter.com/A7VmrKGcoJ https://t.co/5R1cUr5lsC

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) September 2, 2024

Footage courtesy of Peacock.