Ruben Amorim seemed to contradict his own message with a second-half change during Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
Manchester United found themselves trailing within the first five minutes after their opening corner sparked a rapid Nottingham Forest counter-attack, expertly finished by former United player Anthony Elanga.
Ruben Amorim’s side reacted well and came close to an equaliser when Diogo Dalot delivered a cross to Bruno Fernandes in the box, but his header went straight into the hands of Matz Sels.
Despite enjoying decent possession, United remained vulnerable to Forest’s counter-attacks, a recurring issue throughout the first half.
The second half proved just as challenging, with sloppy play and few clear attacking opportunities. In the closing stages, Amorim introduced Harry Maguire as an emergency centre-forward in search of a breakthrough.
Maguire had United’s best chance to equalise, but his effort was cleared off the line, securing all three points for Forest.
Amorim subbed on Eriksen over Academy duo
United’s midfield pairing of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro did not work in this game and both were substituted.
However, instead of bringing on one of the young players on the bench in Sekou Kone or Toby Collyer, Amorim turned to Christian Eriksen once again.
The Dane has less than three months remaining on his contract at Old Trafford and admitted during the international break that he doesn’t expect that to be renewed. Ajax’s director has already come out and spoken about a potential deal for the 33-year-old.
Despite any quality Eriksen might bring to the team, it makes little sense continuing to use him in games that don’t actually mean much over players who could have long-term futures at the club.
United are in the bottom half of the Premier League table and things aren’t going to improve drastically in the league this season, no matter what decisions Amorim makes.
Amorim does not need to push these young stars into the starting lineup if he does not think they’re ready, but appearances off the bench over a departing player will hurt no one.
Even if he does not think Kone is prepared for Premier League football, Collyer has made 13 appearances for the first-team now.
Amorim contradicts himself with Eriksen decision
The main reason this is frustrating is because it almost contradicts the message Amorim has been sending.
Things are very poor now but he wants to build a side to win the Premier League and he knows that won’t happen immediately. United want to win the division by the 2027/28 campaign.
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Looking ahead to the future and trying to improve this team in the long-term doesn’t go hand-in-hand with picking a 33-year-old, who is leaving the club, over two young options.
In the best case scenario, Kone and Collyer may end up being part of Amorim’s team who are trying to push for the title in several years. No matter what, Eriksen will have no future at the club.
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