Ruben Amorim handed new Man Utd injury blow as 23-year-old ace 'out for the season' - will miss Lyon

Manchester United could be without Joshua Zirkzee until the end of the season with the hamstring injury that he picked up against Newcastle United, it has been reported.

A report from BBC Sport has detailed that the 23-year-old is facing an extend period out and he may not be back before the end of May as he faces the realistic prospect of being out for the remainder of the season. The Netherlands international limped off during the Red Devils’ Premier League defeat at St James’ Park.

Head coach Ruben Amorim is set to be questioned on the injury when he faces the media on Wednesday afternoon ahead of United’s crunch Europa League quarter final clash with Lyon. The Red Devils are level at 2-2 in the last-eight tie after a dramatic encounter in France. Zirkzee headed in what appeared to be the winner on 88 minutes but a mistake from Andre Onana in the final minute allowed Red Devils’ target Rayan Cherki to strike on the rebound.

What Ruben Amorim has said on Joshua Zirkzee injury

"We had to make rotation because we are trying to recover in two days from each game," said Amorim after the loss at Newcastle. “But trying to win this game also. Josh, I think he will be out for some games. So, let’s focus on the next one [against Lyon].”

If Zirkzee is to miss the rest of the season, he will be absent for United’s final six Premier League games which come against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brentford, West Ham United, Chelsea and Aston Villa. They also have a potential Europa League semi-final against either Rangers or Athletic Club, if they beat Lyon on Thursday night. The final of the Europa League comes before the last Premier League game of the campaign, with the showpiece occasion set for May 21 in Bilbao, Spain.

United have received an injury boost in recent weeks with Kobbie Mainoo returning to action in Lyon last week. He also came off the bench against Newcastle at the weekend.

Injury a cruel blow for Joshua Zirkzee who had shown signs of improvement

The United striker has had a tough first season at Old Trafford but has shown great strength of character amid adversity. He was booed off the pitch during a Premier League defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford but responded to that low a week later with the winning penalty against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.

He has been linked with a move away this summer but a recent report has claimed that Amorim now wants to keep hold of the player and offload Rasmus Hojlund this summer.

Speaking about Zirkzee’s improvement since being booed off against Newcastle, Amorim said last week: “Yes, he’s doing a great job. Also, a very important thing was the way the fans react after that incident. So if you see, every time, even if Josh is not playing, every time he gets on the pitch or just warming up, our fans sing the Josh song. So that is massive for the player, so it’s 50-50. Fifty percent part of the fans and 50 percent of Josh.”