Manchester United players Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt have been excluded from the Netherlands provisional squad for the upcoming Nations League quarter-finals against Spain. Both players joined Manchester United last summer and have faced challenges settling into the team. Zirkzee, a newer face on the international scene, and De Ligt, a more experienced player with 25 Premier League appearances, have struggled to maintain their form. Koeman's selections highlight the pressures and tough competition within the national team.
"It just looks like he is now in a period where all his mistakes are being punished," Koeman said after the draw.
"I gave him a new chance today, but eventually I protected him by taking him off," Koeman noted regarding De Ligt's participation.
Zirkzee has regularly appeared from the bench with just 11 of his 27 appearances coming from the start, indicating the competition for roles.
Former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay, now playing in Brazil, is also named in the provisional squad despite not representing his nation in a while.
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