Gabby Agbonlahor says ‘poor’ Man Utd star can’t even control the ball

Gabby Agbonlahor has aimed a swipe at ‘poor’ Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee and says he can’t even control the ball.

The Red Devils signed the Netherlands international forward from Italian club Bologna this summer in a deal worth £36.5m.

Zirkzee netted on his United debut in a 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham and many felt that he was set for a big season at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old, though, hasn’t scored or provided assist since then, leaving him with just one goal across his opening 11 appearances.

‘Everyone’s talking about Joshua Zirkzee, said he was an amazing player,’ football pundit Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

‘He’s gone there, he can’t even control the ball. He’s got the time [to turn things around] but he’s been poor since the start of this season.’

Ex-Premier League star Agbonlahor has also claimed that his former side, Aston Villa, are now a more attractive club for players to join than Erik ten Hag’s team.

Asked if players would rather join Villa than United, Agbonlahor declared: ‘100 per cent.

‘First of all, Aston Villa are in the Champions League. It is every player’s dream to play in the Champions League.

‘They’re a more settled club. If you look at Unai Emery now, he’s got the club in his hands.

‘No one above him is telling him to sign a player. He can sign whoever he wants. There is no circus with the owners.

‘It’s a healthier club. Are Manchester United a bigger club? Of course. By far. But at the moment, for a player… players go there and their careers go downhill.’

Villa sit fourth in the Premier League table after their opening eight games of the season, while United are down in 12th.