Zirkzee can still count on fans' support

As he prepared to take the decisive spot-kick, it was not lost that he had recently suffered the pain of being jeered at Old Trafford, when substituted during a defeat to Newcastle United.

I think most people will accept the Dutchman was merely a lightning rod for the fans' ire and frustration that day, a theory bolstered by the support he swiftly received when warming up in our following game, against Liverpool at Anfield.

He came on as a substitute and would have had the matchwinning assist at the death, had the ball not bobbled and Harry Maguire's shot gone over, rather than under, the bar.

So Zirkzee must have been buoyed by this clear, unequivocal backing from our loyal supporters but it…