Featured Image Credit: Manchester United/YouTube
Topics: Ruben Amorim, Man Utd, Kobbie Mainoo, West Ham, Premier League
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Ruben Amorim, Man Utd, Kobbie Mainoo, West Ham, Premier League
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim delivered a telling response after it was suggested that he could have brought on Kobbie Mainoo in their Premier League clash against West Ham.
United dropped more valuable points on Thursday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw against struggling West Ham.
Diogo Dalot gave the home side a deserved lead just before the hour mark but, after allowing the Hammers to grab a hold of the game late on, Soungoutou Magassa netted an equaliser in the 83rd minute.
By the full-time whistle, Amorim had used all five of his substitutions, with Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount and Lisandro Martinez being brought on to try and make an impact.
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It once again left Kobbie Mainoo out in the cold. The 20-year-old, who has not started a game since their Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town, has been used sparingly of late.
In fact, Mainoo has played just 265 minutes across all competitions this season – a lack of first-team football that has seen him being linked with a January move away from Old Trafford.
Amorim's second-half substitutions were a big talking point on Thursday night, and in his post-match press conference, the United manager was asked whether he would change his subs if he had to go back and do it again.
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"No, we are losing because of the second balls, sometimes it’s not more men in front that you are going to win the ball," Amorim replied, before asking some questions of his own to the reporter.
"We had more men to put in the offence? Who?" he asked. "Who would be more offensive?"
Kobbie Mainoo’s name was brought up, but Amorim simply laughed.
He then replied: "Yes, it was the second ball and I was worried with Matheus, I know Bruno [Fernandes] reached the box really well, Mason Mount is playing in his position, they were trying to push us, Bryan [Mbeumo] has a lot of pace to try to win the ball in one transition, so that was my idea."
Here's how fans on social media reacted to Amorim's reaction.
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One said: "That mocking laugh when Mainoo’s name is mentioned," and another commented: "Imagine being Kobbie Mainoo and seeing Amorim literally laugh off the idea of you getting subbed on ahead of 5 defensive players today to the media."
A third wrote: "I have seen a lot of managers throw players under the bus, but that laugh. Mainoo should force an exit in January if Amorim is not sacked. This response, this laugh is a SACKABLE offence. You do not do this to your players. NEVER."
A fourth said: "That laugh," and a fifth added: "That laugh on Mainoo's name is diabolical, I'd look for another club."
Mainoo has started just one game for United so far this season, but Amorim has insisted he still sees the midfielder as a key member of his squad.
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Asked if there is something extra Mainoo has to do to be involved, Amorim said: "Yeah, but this is a team sport."
He continued: "You talk a lot of about Kobbie, I have more players in my squad that want to be in the World Cup, so it's a little bit unfair. I put Kobbie (in against Everton) because he's really good near the box, to have a guy like Bruno and him, they can find spaces near the box and score goals.
"So that was my idea. So, I will use Kobbie and the rest of them to try for the team to win. So, I'm not just focused on one individual."
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Amorim added: "I want to help all my players and I know how special it is for a player to play World Cup. My job is to win as a team and to focus as a team. So, Kobbie Mainoo is in the same situation as the other guys. If I feel that is the best thing to win the game, I will do it. So that's it."