UEFA Nations League

NETHERLANDS manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is not good enough to play for the national team.Zirkzee has struggled to find his feet since joining the Red Devils in a £36.5million transfer from Bologna in July.Joshua Zirkzee is not good enough for the Dutch national team, according to Ronald KoemanCredit: GettyKoeman decided against calling up Zirkzee to the Netherlands squad despite ‘limited’ options in attackCredit: GettyIn 42 club appearances this season the 23-year-old has scored just six goals and provided two assists.His form has left many United fans and pundits disappointed – and it appears Koeman isn’t best pleased either.The Netherlands boss has decided against handing Zirkzee a call-up for the next international break later this month.He insists the striker must “earn” his place in the squad.READ MORE ON MAN UTDKoeman said: “He wasn’t in the preliminary selection because I don’t think he’s good enough at the moment.”Especially scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong.”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 we are somewhat limited up front.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets”But even then, I still think that you have to earn your selection, and I think he doesn’t deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period.”Zirkzee has represented the Dutch national team in the last three international breaks.Harry Maguire reveals he sent private message to Joshua Zirkzee after Man Utd star was cheered off vs NewcastleHowever, Memphis Depay is expected to get the call-up this time instead.Netherlands face Spain in both Nations League fixtures this month.Should they win across two legs, they will reach the semi-finals of the competition.Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Man Utd signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances. More

WHEN Thomas Tuchel was appointed England manager back in October, the world had barely heard of Myles Lewis-Skelly.The left-back had only just made his Arsenal debut as a late sub in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.Arsenal ace Myles Lewis-Skelly offers quite the dilemma to England boss Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyTuchel is set to name his first ever England squadCredit: GettyLewis-Skelly has received two red cards already and almost had a third oneCredit: GettyLewis-Skelly’s temparatent will play a huge role for his England hopesCredit: GettyDuring a post-match fracas at the Etihad, Erling Haaland asked the young Gunner, “Who the f*** are you?” — and Tuchel might well have asked a similar question.Now, as Tuchel prepares to name his first England squad next week, Lewis-Skelly is providing the German’s most fascinating selection dilemma.As Mikel Arteta’s men ran amok in Eindhoven on Tuesday night — obliterating the Dutch champions PSV 7-1 — we saw the good and the bad side of 18-year-old MLS. First, he provided a gorgeous assist for fellow England prospect and old mate Ethan Nwaneri to provide an emphatic finish for the second goal.Read More on ArsenalBut then Lewis-Skelly narrowly avoided a third red card in less than six weeks with two clumsy tackles, which earned him one yellow before he was hooked by Arteta after only 35 minutes.Since Tuchel’s appointment, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are the only two kids to have burst on to the Premier League scene and into serious contention.For MLS, the prospect of a lightning-fast promotion into the senior squad is far more likely.The Three Lions have been crying out for a fully-fit left-back for years now.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWith Newcastle’s Lewis Hall – who made his international debut under Lee Carsley in November – ruled out for the season, the Arsenal star has a great chance of being called up.England’s premier left-back Luke Shaw is, sadly, almost permanently injured and there are few other options. Listen to Michael Oliver’s conversation with VAR over Lewis-Skelly red card as Howard Webb says referee got it wrongThe issue is Lewis-Skelly’s temperament.While his first red card against Wolves was rescinded, it was for a wild challenge.His second sending-off, 17 minutes after coming on as sub in the loss to West Ham, saw Lewis-Skelly undone by the positioning of keeper David Raya.It meant his foul on Mohammed Kudus was deemed to have denied a goalscoring opportunity. But in Lewis-Skelly’s first match back, in Eindhoven, the youngster was fortunate to find a lenient referee.Arteta was right to haul Lewis-Skelly off.And then there was the way he marked his first senior goal, mocking Haaland’s goal celebration in the 5-1 hammering of City at the Emirates last month.Was this refreshing self-confidence or premature arrogance?Tuchel faces riskThere is certainly no doubting Lewis-Skelly’s belief but can Tuchel trust such an inexperienced player in World Cup qualifiers?For Nwaneri, just 17 but with eight goals in his breakthrough season, the route to an England place is more crowded.Although his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke will miss Tuchel’s first squad through injury, England have plenty of wide options.Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze are among them.Tuchel is effectively only in the England job for 16 months, with a contract that runs until next year’s World Cup, so he will have less of an eye on the long-term future than predecessor Gareth Southgate.Unless he can envisage a player capable of featuring in the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19 next year, he is unlikely to call him up.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor all his promise, Nwaneri is likely to be on the bench once Saka is fit.So he looks destined for a place in the Under- 21 squad. But for left-back Lewis-Skelly, the World Cup could be calling. More