Man United star Bruno Fernandes loves will spring a surprise next season

Ruben Amorim said that the good times are coming after a storm took hold in a dismal past season for Manchester United. It was a rough time to be a fan of the 13-time Premier League champions as they finished a club-worst 15th place.

The squad was put on blast throughout the campaign with many deserving their criticism but some were made scapegoats and quite unfairly so. While older players frustrated due to form or injury struggles, youngsters and new signings came into the line of fire despite needing to adapt.

That was the case for one Red Devil who went from being linked with an early Old Trafford exit to a fan favourite.

Joshua Zirkzee could explode for Man United next season

There was excitement and caution regarding Joshua Zirkzee's arrival at United last summer. The Dutch forward joined the Reds from Bologna in a £36.5m after shining in Italy as a number nine.

Zirkzee made a promising start with a goal off the bench on his debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham in last season's opener. But struggles in front of goal took hold and he started to be handed a bit-part role with both Erik ten Hag and Amorim trying to find out more about his attributes and best position.

The 24-year-old was given one of the most disturbing responses from fans when subbed off in the first half of a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United in December. He tried hiding away from the jeers he received which were not becoming of our fanbase.

Zirkzee was then linked with a quick return to Italy in the January transfer window with his Old Trafford future already in serious doubt. But he showed the right mentality to work his way back into the first team and he was one of Amorim's better performers by the end of the season.

While the goals didn't come for the Dutchman, he starred as a versatile attacker who was able to play as a number 10. His clever positioning, quick feet and clever passing saw him start to shine and gave fans a glimpse of what to expect next season.

Zirkzee is now adapted to life in the Premier League and in Manchester and that should bode well. He might have a new striker to compete with amid links to Benjamin Sesko but if it comes down to him or Rasmus Hojlund it is the Dane who must make way.

Bruno Fernandes is a fan of Josh

Bruno Fernandes was one of the first to come to Zirkzee's defence after the abuse he receieved in the Newcastle defeat. He commended the Netherlands international after he netted the winning penalty in an FA Cup shootout victory over Arsenal:

"When you're a good person and do the right things, even if you have bad moments, in the end everything will come through strong. And the only thing it came into my mind was to tell the players that the script is done.

"So everything is done since that moment against Newcastle that prepared us to, in this moment, give Josh his moment and his credit and his flowers."

Zirkzee's versatile profile could help Fernandes if the Portuguese playmaker plays a deeper role next season. They link up well when both on the pitch because their brilliance on the ball and understanding of each other's game.

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