FootyChatter.com

Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt played together at Bayern Munich before reuniting at Manchester United Manchester United duo Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt have been left out of the Netherlands' provisional squad for next month's Nations League quarter-finals. The Netherlands host Spain on 20 March before travelling to Valencia three days later for the second leg. Zirkzee, 23, made his senior international debut as a substitute against Turkey at Euro 2024 and has been named in each squad since, picking up six caps. De Ligt, 25, has featured in every squad for the Netherlands, when fit, since earning his first cap in 2017. Manger Ronald Koeman has selected a 25-man provisional squad, which he will trim down next week. Both players joined Manchester United last summer and have struggled to find their feet at Old Trafford, although De Ligt was on the scoresheet in the 3-2 win over Ipswich on Wednesday. De Ligt has featured 25 times in the Premier League, starting on 21 occasions, and was formerly the captain of the Netherlands team until he lost his spot in the starting line-up to Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij. During the September international break, De Ligt was substituted at half-time during a 2-2 draw with Germany after committing mistakes in the build-up to both goals conceded. "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. " Zirkzee has regularly appeared from the bench with just 11 of his 27 appearances coming from the start. Former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay, who moved to Brazilian club Corinthians in September, is named in the provisional squad. Depay has scored eight goals in 24 appearances for the South American outfit but has not represented his nation since their loss against England in the semi-finals at Euro 2024. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone F1 2025 testing: Russell puts his Mercedes top in closing stages of day three Buttler steps down as England's white-ball captain Champions Trophy: Afghanistan-Australia abandoned because of rain A new investigation from the producers of The Missing Cryptoqueen The dark story of a young woman's journey to expose a threatening digital intruder Gillian Anderson stars as DSI Stella Gibson The intertwined lives of a serial killer and the detective desperate to catch him Are the days of game consoles nearly over? Game consoles have come a long way since the 1970s, but could their days now be numbered? Nine times Elon Musk went viral From tweets to takeovers, here are nine times the billionaire broke the internet Buttler steps down as England's white-ball captain 'We are still in the fight' - just how bad does it look for Leicester? Sutton's FA Cup fifth-round predictions v comedian Josh Widdicombe 'More a procession than a race' - when could Liverpool seal title? England Under-18s to 'Small Black', via four lost stone Why injury-hit Arsenal are failing to score. Video Why injury-hit Arsenal are failing to score A cash-filled briefcase, a missing shield and the beating of Australia 'We lacked spark' - strikers who could be 'final piece of Arsenal jigsaw' 'Liverpool running away with title' - MOTD analysis. Video'Liverpool running away with title' - MOTD analysis Harsher bans needed to stop dangerous tackles - Warburton. Video Harsher bans needed to stop dangerous tackles - Warburton Keep smiling and goals will come, Maresca tells Palmer Mourinho v Turkish football - what is going on? 'The mood is buzzing' - Palace thrash Villa as Wharton shines Lions watch week three: Fly-halves, back three & captain In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week The Premier League perils awaiting Leeds as promotion edges closer The Carragher & Africa Cup of Nations row explained Sutton's predictions v singer Paige Cavell Crumbling fortresses - why are teams struggling to win at home? Inside the doping deal for tennis' world number one Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.