Sunderland striker Brobbey suffered a hamstring injury during the Netherland’s 1-1 draw with Germany in the Nations League on Thursday night.
He was not the only casualty from the match, as German forward Kai Havertz also came off hurt, in what could prove to be a major blow for Arsenal.
While new Dutch manager Xavi was unable to give much of an update on Brobbey after the game, he did confirm the .. would have to leave the camp early and that a replacement would be called-up to replace him.
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That replacement has turned out to be Zirkzee, who last played for his country nearly two years ago as a result of his struggling form for United.
A £36.5million signing from Bologna, the forward has recorded just nine goals and four assists in 79 games for the Red Devils.
His four appearances this season have all been late cameos off the bench, making his international call-up somewhat of a surprise.
Brian Brobbey suffered a hamstring as the Netherlands drew with Germany (Photo: Getty)
Zirkzee lasted played for the Netherlands in November 24 (Photo: Getty)
The 25-year-old, who has six caps and one goal for his country, was expected to leave Old Trafford last summer but stayed put despite interest from Juventus and Everton.
Over the extended international break, the Netherlands face away games against Serbia and Greece before a home clash against Serbia.
United return to action on October 10 when they face win-less Tottenham.
The Three Lions take on Spain at Wembley on Saturday in their first game since finishing third at the World Cup over the summer.
England were denied a first World Cup final appearance since 1966 after a heartbreaking last minute loss to Argentina in the United States.
Tuchel’s tactics in the semi-final defeat were widely panned, specifically the decision to sub on multiple defenders and park the bus almost immediately after Anthony Gordon had given the team the lead early in the second-half.
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It is still a point on contention for fans, pundits and even some players, yet Tuchel has claimed he has heard very little to no backlash on the matter from supporters.
‘99.9 per cent of the fans don’t talk about substitutions, tactical tweaks or tactical details,’ the German said in a press conference last week, as he announced his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
‘They speak about where they watched the Mexico game, and they speak about the second-half energy of the Croatia match.
Thomas Tuchel went far too defensive, far too early in England’s World Cup semi-final (Photo: Getty)
‘They speak about how nerve-racking it was to watch our match against Congo and where they celebrated. This is the feedback I get. This is what we created, and how it should be.
‘This is what a World Cup is for: to connect with people and give them experiences they do not forget.
‘It makes me proud; it makes me happy. Even if it’s just in a cab, at a coffee shop or in the supermarket, you share these little moments and understand that it actually meant something.
England had to settle for third at the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Getty)
‘It showed that what the players built was transmitted, and it’s what we want to build on.’
It’s safe to say Tuchel’s comments have raised eyebrows, with England legend Lineker telling the Rest is Football: ‘I thought that was complete nonsense!
‘Absolutely everyone was talking about that at the time and everyone had their question marks about his substitutions!
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‘And then to just dismiss it and [say] “No, the only thing that people remember are a couple of goals against Croatia and that great game against Mexico”. I thought that was a bit odd.’
Former Three Lions defender Micah Richards agreed and theorised that Tuchel had a plan behind the comments, adding: ‘He’s trying to deflect, isn’t he? He knows full well [he made a mistake].
‘But we’re talking about his comments. So, he’s done exactly what we want him to do. He knows what we’re all going to do.
‘I think the Mexico game was amazing. It really was and it was one of the best especially in my lifetime for the boys to go to the Azteca and do what they did. So, he is right.
‘But on the other hand, he was brought in to win the World Cup, wasn’t he?’
Tuchel has a chance to win back any disgruntled fans and a win over world champions Spain would be a good start. England also take on the Czech Republic twice and Croatia during the extended international break.
It could be a major blow for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Kai Havertz has undergone an MRI scan and expects the Arsenal and Germany forward to miss the rest of the international break after picking up a new injury.
Klopp oversaw his first game in charge as Germany boss on Thursday evening, sharing the points in an entertaining draw with Netherlands in their Nations League game.
Havertz started up front for his country but was forced off after 30 minutes after a challenge from Quentin Timber, twin brother of his Gunners teammate Jurrien.
Havertz’s injury has been described as a muscle issue with the former Chelsea star immediately undergoing tests.
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Germany were also without Jamal Musiala, a late withdrawal from the starting XI after picking up a knock in the warm-up.
Klopp was hopeful their issues were ‘nothing serious’ but suggested they will have no further role to play during the extended international break.
‘Both are currently undergoing an MRI,” Klopp said on RTL.
Havertz underwent a scan after the game (Picture: UEFA via Getty Images)
‘I hope we get the diagnosis [on Thursday] evening. But of course, this isn’t great. I hope it’s nothing serious. The lads are probably out for us. But hopefully, they’ll be back in action relatively quickly.’
Mikel Arteta preferred Havertz over Viktor Gyokeres in Arsenal’s biggest matches last season and the German has been the manager’s clear first choice striker so far this term.
Havertz has started all five Premier League games – scoring twice – with Gyokeres managing just 29 minutes of top flight action.
Havertz limped off after half an hour (Picture: UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal return to action at home to Leeds United on 10 October and will hope to have their first-choice centre forward available.
Injuries have been a growing issue for the former Bayer Leverkusen youngster, however.
He did not start a league game until the end of January earlier this year as a result of a knee injury he suffered at the start of the 2025-26 season, with muscular issues ruling him out of a further five games later in the campaign.
He also missed over three months of action in the second-half of the 2024-25 season due to a hamstring injury he suffered during a warm-weather camp in Dubai which required surgery.
Saied Abu Farchi scored his side’s equalising goal against Austria (Picture: AFP)
Israel footballer Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for appearing to use the corner flag to simulate shooting a gun during his goal celebration.
Israel were beaten 3-1 by Austria in their Uefa Nations League clash on Thursday night with Farchi briefly drawing his side level in the second-half.
After finding the back of the net, the 20-year-old immediately ran over to the corner of the pitch, removing the corner flag from the ground.
Farchi crouched down and took aim, smiling as he made gun-firing gestures.
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Farchi had been booked just four minutes before his goal with the referee producing a second yellow card to leave Israel down to 10 men.
Austria took the lead again in the 90th minute through Philipp Mwene with Sasa Kalajdzic adding a third in stoppage time.
Israel are set to play Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
Farchi was sent off moments later (Picture: AFP)
Earlier this week, the Israel Football Association accused Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘hypocrisy and stupidity’ over comments he made regarding the upcoming Nations League fixtures between the two countries.
Campaigners have stepped up their bid to convince the Ireland team to boycott Sunday’s opener in Hungary, with a group gathering outside the team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday evening.
At last week’s squad announcement, Hallgrimsson admitted many squad members were uncomfortable about playing Israel, adding: ‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide.’
In a furious response on social media, the Israel FA wrote: ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.
‘Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach.
‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.’
Hallgrimsson later admitted hie comments were ‘not clever from me.’
He added: ‘Myself and the players need to be focused on the game. It’s a tricky time for us. We are grateful for the support we get.’
