'I don't think he is good enough' - National team manager's brutal reason he dropped Manchester United star

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman does not believe Joshua Zirkzee is 'good enough' to be selected for the national team after a poor debut season with Manchester United.

The 23-year-old was signed to solve United's striker issues last summer but has netted just six goals in 42 appearances for the club and been largely repurposed as an attacking midfielder by head coach Ruben Amorim. Zirkzee found the back of the net as United drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad on Thursday night and was chosen to lead the line when they hosted Arsenal in the Premier League over the weekend.

Amorim believes he has seen improvement from the Dutchman as an attacking midfielder in recent months, though international boss Koeman has not seen enough from the unorthodox forward yet. Zirkzee was named in the previous three national team squads but has been excluded from the squad ahead of their upcoming fixtures later this month.

Why Joshua Zirkzee isn't in Netherlands squad

The Netherlands are back in international football action when they face Spain in a two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie over the March break. They host Spain in Rotterdam on Thursday 20 March, before the return leg in Valencia on Sunday 23 March.

Joshua Zirkzee has not been called up by manager Ronald Koeman for the matches because he does believe the Manchester United forward has played well enough in recent months, particularly with his vision in the final third.

"He was not in the pre-selection because I don't think he is good enough at the moment. Especially scanning when turning or passing goes wrong quite often," Koeman told Studio Voetbal. "Yes, in principle form and fitness are always leading, but that is not always possible. We have a lot of central defenders and midfielders, but up front we are a bit more limited. But even then I think you have to earn your selection and I think he does not deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period."

Ruben Amorim pleased with Joshua Zirkzee improvement

Ruben Amorim believes Joshua Zirkzee has shown signs of improvement since he switched to an attacking midfield role for Manchester United. The 23-year-old was signed to provide another option up front but has struggled to adapt his unique style of play to the Premier League.

"In the small things in our game, I see improvement," he told club media. "It's hard to see but I see it. "I think we are improving in the last two games [before Real Sociedad], for example, the way we have possession. Our central defenders are playing in a different way, more confident.

"And, if they play well, our team will play better. I think some players are improving individually. Josh, I think is improving, in changing, a little bit, the position. We are trying to find a better space for Bruno but sometimes you want him, yes, everywhere as he's really important for us."

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