Man Utd star handed late international call-up after 'unfortunate' injury blow

· Mirror

A Manchester United star has been called up for the Nations League as a result of an international team-mate sustaining an injury

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has received a call-up to the Netherlands squad. The 25-year-old, who has featured four times for the Red Devils this season, has been selected by head coach Xavi Hernandez as a replacement for the injured Brian Brobbey.

The Sunderland AFC striker limped off clutching his hamstring during the Netherlands' 1-1 draw with Germany on Thursday. Speaking after the match, Xavi confirmed that Brobbey had been forced to return to Sunderland for treatment and that a replacement forward would be drafted in.

The head coach explained: "Brian is indeed injured, unfortunately, so we will call up another striker. We haven't decided who yet; I haven't had time for that yet."

It has now been confirmed that Zirkzee will link up with the Netherlands squad ahead of Sunday's Nations League clash away to Serbia. The United striker is expected to arrive at KNVB headquarters in Amsterdam on Friday evening to undergo a medical assessment before joining his international teammates.

Zirkzee will then fly out to Belgrade on Saturday with the rest of the Dutch party. The fixture against Serbia will be the first of three international appearances Zirkzee is set to make for his country in the coming weeks.

Following the trip to Belgrade, the Netherlands face Greece on Thursday, October 1, before hosting Serbia at Eindhoven in the return fixture.

Xavi will be hunting for his first victory as Netherlands head coach after claiming a draw in his opening match against Germany on Thursday.

Following Felix Nmecha's opener for Jurgen Klopp's side, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo equalised for the Dutch in stoppage time. Yet Xavi believes his side were worthy of all three points against Germany.

The Netherlands registered more shots (22), shots on target (10) and clear-cut chances (5) than their rivals, with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen pulling off five saves. Xavi said: "We deserved more in the end.

> "We created chances, applied pressure and we were superior in the second half. He had an incredible game, I told Marc that after the match as well.

> "He's a close friend, a top guy and a top professional. I'm happy for him, but he was playing against us. Germany owe the point they got today to Marc-Andre."

Read the original

People in this story

Related