Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has said Manchester United attacker Joshua Zirkzee is not currently good enough to represent the national team.
The 23-year-old, who led United's attack for their 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, has been left out of Koeman's provisional squad for their upcoming Nations League clashes with Spain. The two sides will go head-to-head in a two-legged quarter-final later this month.
Zirkzee, who has improved for United in recent weeks after being deployed as one of the two No.10s prior to Sunday's stalemate with the Gunners, has earned six caps for the Netherlands, making his debut at last summer's European Championship.
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Of those six appearances, three have been as a starter and three have been via the substitutes bench. He has scored one goal for his country.
However, he will not be adding to that tally over the international break taking place later this month after being left out of Koeman's plans.
"He wasn't in the preliminary selection because I don't think he's good enough at the moment," said Koeman, as quoted by Soccer News. "Especially scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong.
"Yes, in principle form and fitness are always leading, but that is not always possible. We have a lot of central defenders and midfielders, but we are somewhat limited up front.
"But even then, I still think that you have to earn your selection, and I think he doesn't deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period."
Zirkzee featured for the Netherlands in each of the first three international breaks that took place earlier this season, starting games in September, October and November.
