RUBEN AMORIM substituted Joshua Zirkzee after just 33 MINUTES against Newcastle.

The Dutch forward was met with sarcastic cheers from Manchester United fans as he left the pitch – leaving commentator Gary Neville feeling sympathy for him.

Joshua Zirkzee’s Manchester United vs Newcastle game stats: 14 touches, 9 passes, 0 shots, 2 tackles, 0 dribbles, 0 crosses. Zirkzee had little impact before being substituted. The Red Devils fell behind 2-0 within 20 minutes at Old Trafford after goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.

Man Utd boss Amorim deployed Zirkzee as a second striker, behind Rasmus Hojlund.

However, he had seen enough before half-time and decided to replace him with Kobbie Mainoo.

Zirkzee stormed down the tunnel immediately, then returned to sit on the bench moments later.

And Man Utd legend Gary Neville expressed sympathy for the £36.5million summer signing.

He remarked: “I truly feel sorry for him, I really do.

“I know he earns a lot of money, but there’s a human being in there being cheered off by his own fans, and that’s harsh.

“We haven’t seen that too often at Old Trafford. For 43 years I’ve been coming here.”

But Neville didn’t hold back when evaluating Man Utd’s first-half performance as a team.

He stated: “You are witnessing the worst pound-for-pound team in the country, bar none.”

Zirkzee has played 26 matches for Man Utd this season, netting four goals and providing two assists.

Yet the ex-Bologna forward faced criticism from Neville, along with other summer signings, prior to the Newcastle clash.

Neville said: “What surprises me is that when Manchester United signed those three or four players in the summer, I didn’t hear anyone say ‘Manchester United had a terrible transfer market.’

“I am shocked at how poor these players have been in their early months.

You are watching the worst pound-for-pound team in the country, bar none.

Gary Neville “I’ve said before that this club has been a graveyard for players with good reputations. And it’s happening again.

“I didn’t hear anyone say in the summer when Yoro, De Ligt, Ugarte, and Zirkzee joined that United hadn’t signed decent players.

“The issue is that when you see them in a red shirt, Manchester United looks a weaker team. That’s the strange part.”

Meanwhile, Amorim addressed taking Zirkzee off in his post-match comments.

He said: “You must consider the team but also the player, but the player is struggling.

“I felt the team was suffering and we needed another midfielder for more control. It was tough for me to make that choice, but I spoke to Josh as it was important to send the message. For the team, it was vital for Josh to come off.

“I know Josh is a really good guy. When he went down the tunnel, I understand some players can feel bad, but he is a great lad.

“It’s life, and we will support Josh and move on. Newcastle played better than Manchester United; they weren’t better than Josh.”