The fear of Manchester United manager Ricardo Sá Pinto has come true. Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutch striker who was one of the team’s most in-form attackers, will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Zirkzee suffered the injury during United’s recent match against Newcastle United, a game that ended in a 4-1 defeat for Sá Pinto’s side. The striker was substituted due to the hamstring issue.

Sá Pinto had hoped Zirkzee would return within a week or two, but Manchester United confirmed today that the striker will miss the rest of the campaign.

Zirkzee’s injury is not only a blow to Manchester United but also painful for the player himself. The 23-year-old striker had been performing significantly better in recent weeks compared to earlier in the season.

Sá Pinto now has no choice but to rely on Rasmus Højlund for tomorrow’s match against Lyon and the remaining fixtures. Højlund had been out of favor due to missed opportunities, but the Portuguese coach will have no alternative but to use him in upcoming games.