After his decision against West Ham United, Rúben Amorim has backtracked on his original Shea Lacey claim.
Manchester United looked dismal in their 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Thursday evening. For many fans, the point felt like a draw after Diogo Dalot’s goal gave the Red Devils a 1-0 lead for the best part of the second half.
Despite Noussair Mazraoui’s goal-line clearance, West Ham netted a goalmouth scramble in the 83rd minute to level the game, and United never looked like scoring again.
After United took the lead, Rúben Amorim replaced Dalot – who appeared to be injured – with Patrick Dorgu, while Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee made way just 10 minutes later in favour of Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount. Rather than looking to control the rest of the game, Amorim attempted to shut down West Ham with a more defensive lineup.
Left on the bench were Shea Lacey and Kobbie Mainoo – two more attacking options who could’ve helped United control the rest of the game.
Following West Ham’s goal, Amorim used his final substitution to replace Luke Shaw with Lisandro Martínez, again leaving his attacking players on the bench when United are desperate for a goal.
Amorim backtracks on Lacey claim
Leaving Mainoo on the bench could be forgiven – as he is more of a midfielder than an attacker, although he could’ve made a greater impact than Ugarte – but leaving Lacey on the bench seems an odd decision, especially given Amorim claimed he was “ready to play” before the match.
Speaking after the game, in the lead-up to the trip to the Molineux on Monday night, Amorim backtracked on his original claim. When asked about his substitutions, Amorim said: “Sometimes, when Bryan [Mbeumo] is not there, I put Amad [there] because I have other wing-backs to play, and sometimes it’s hard.
“So you are asking me why I don’t put Lacey to play, when I have other guys that are internationals, and also they are on the bench?
“So I try to put the best guys, the prepared guys, for this moment of the club, and try to win a game. That’s the only thing, guys.”
It appears Amorim doesn’t feel Lacey is ready to make a real impact when United need it most, especially if a central defender is considered one of “the best guys” to create a goal in the dying moments.
Lacey MUST play during AFCON
During the African Cup of Nations, United will be without Amad, Mbeumo and Mazraoui – the full right-hand side from United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham on Thursday night.
While Diogo Dalot can cover for Amad at wing-back and Leny Yoro can shift over to right-centre-back in place of Mazraoui, there are no other natural replacements for Mbeumo.
Read More: “That was my idea…” Ruben Amorim explains unfathomable decision that cost Man Utd vs West Ham
Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha appear to be favoured on the left side, while Bruno Fernandes will likely keep his place in central midfield, rather than moving up the pitch.
Lacey is unlikely to start games, but if he doesn’t feature during AFCON, United will be without attacking options on the substitutes bench, meaning the trio that start the game will almost always finish it.
Amorim must show he is willing to play the youngster sooner, rather than later.
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