Man Utd fans spotted what Alejandro Garnacho did after Joshua Zirkzee was brutally booed

Alejandro Garnacho urged Manchester United fans to show support for Joshua Zirkzee after the Dutchman was substituted just 33 minutes into their 2-0 defeat by Newcastle. Despite joining the Red Devils this summer from Bologna for a hefty £36.5million, the 23-year-old has struggled to make an impact under new boss Ruben Amorim.

With only four goals in all competitions and several high-profile misses, Zirkzee has been largely used as a substitute but was given a starting role against the Magpies.

However, after conceding two early goals, Amorim tactically sacrificed Zirkzee for Kobbie Mainoo. As Zirkzee left the pitch – reportedly with tears in his eyes – Garnacho, warming up at the side of the pitch, showed solidarity, urging the crowd not to jeer but to support their player.

In a video shared on TikTok, Garnacho can be seen gesturing to the crowd for support as Zirkzee, wrapped in a coat and visibly upset, walked past.

Yet, his substitution did not alter the outcome. Manchester United’s misfortune persisted as they posed little threat to their former loanee Martin Dubravka’s goalpost and succumbed to two early goals – leaving Amorim with a meagre tally of four victories from his first 11 matches and four back-to-back defeats across all competitions.

Addressing Zirkzee’s reaction to being substituted, Amorim told Sky Sports: “It was really tough for me to do that [take him off], but I’ve spoken to Josh as it was important to express the message. For the team, it was important for Josh to go out.

“I know that Josh is a really good guy. When he went to the tunnel, I can understand that some guys can be in a bad way but he is a really good lad. It is life, and we will support Josh and continue. Newcastle were better than Manchester United, they weren’t better than Josh.

“We’ve only had four training sessions all together. I will continue to do my idea until the end. It was really hard on us. They were the better team and they started very strong. The players suffered a lot on the pitch and it was really hard on us.

“It is a really difficult moment, one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty. We have to fight in the next game.”