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\t<\/div>Michael Carrick sought to defend Joshua Zirkzee after his quiet afternoon for Manchester United in their goalless draw with Sunderland.<\/p>\n
Zirkzee was handed his first start since early December given the injury to Benjamin Sesko and the lack of form of Bryan Mbeumo.<\/p>\n
The Dutch striker has been a bit-part player since Carrick\u2019s arrival in January, and struggled to make any real impact on the game when finally given a chance to start. <\/p>\n
Zirkzee had just three touches in the opposition box and one shot on goal before being withdrawn after 65 minutes as United laboured to a draw at the Stadium of Light.<\/p>\n
But Carrick was reticent to criticise the 24-year-old\u2019s peformance given the nature of the game and his lack of game time in recent months.<\/p>\n
\u2018I thought there were certain times when Josh linked the play really well and certain times when we probably left him a little bit isolated at times,\u2019 Carrick told reporters post-match.<\/p>\n
\u2018That\u2019s how it goes, I think he played a real part for the team.<\/p>\n \u2018I understand it\u2019s not always easy for any player when you haven\u2019t played for a little bit to come into a game, so certainly not just judging any individual on just one performance today anyway.\u2019<\/p>\n On his side\u2019s performance more generally, Carrick added: \u2018It was a tough game. Credit to Sunderland, I think we knew it was going to be a tough game coming here anyway. <\/p>\n \u2018We had to dig deeper times, it wasn\u2019t our best, but actually to take something from the game when you\u2019re not at your best is a good trait that we\u2019re trying to build as well.<\/p>\n \u2018There were obviously changes and sometimes you\u2019re trying to find that rhythm a little bit, which is understandable, but I still quite liked it. <\/p>\n \u2018A lot of the things to give us the foundation to then be able to play better at certain times, but to take a point and a clean sheet for what it is, I think, is okay.\u2019<\/p>\n United were dealt a blow before kick-off when both Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko were ruled out through injury.<\/p>\n Asked for an update on the pair, Carrick said: \u2018Casemiro will be fine, it\u2019s not a major issue, he\u2019ll be fine next week. <\/p>\n \u2018Ben will just have to see, he\u2019s been carrying a shin problem for a little bit of time now, so we\u2019ve just got to manage that and see what\u2019s best for him.\u2019<\/p>\n United are back in action next Sunday at home to Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on ![\"Sunderland](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2275313069.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594\")
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