Rúben Amorim is beginning to come under more scrutiny at Manchester United, and fans could turn sooner rather than later due to one decision.
Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United was simply abysmal. Rúben Amorim’s side took the lead against one of the Premier League’s bottom three and couldn’t hold on, despite making several defensive changes when the game was still there for the taking.
A result like that could be forgiven and forgotten if it were a one-off, or if United played well, or if it was an unlucky defeat, but this is nothing new. Since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag, United haven’t played well regularly or looked like they could mount a charge up the table into the Champions League spots.
While having principles that you stick to is key to being a successful manager, Amorim seems unwilling to make minor tweaks or go for a win with attacking changes, despite getting results that way in the past. At a club like United, that is simply unacceptable.
The 3-4-2-1 formation hasn’t been seen at Old Trafford before, but United fans have stuck behind Amorim, even with a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and a loss in the Europa League final.
However, the tide seems to be turning for the worse for the former Sporting CP boss, due to one big decision made on Thursday night.
The Kobbie Mainoo problem
Kobbie Mainoo is one of the most talented players in the United squad, as he proved during his first professional season in football. The now 20-year-old made his first Premier League start away at Goodison Park on November 26, 2023, and by the end of the season, he was starting in the final of the European Championships for England.
The England international was a regular under Ten Hag, but can’t get near the first team under Amorim. United fans had begun to accept – although they didn’t necessarily agree – that he was simply the backup for Bruno Fernandes in the double pivot, until Thursday evening.
With United leading 1-0, thanks to Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte was brought on for Matheus Cunha, allowing Fernandes to push into the front three. With his position now free, many thought Mainoo would fill the gap left by the captain, but the manager chose otherwise.
United went on to concede in the 83rd minute, leaving just seven minutes and additional time to retake the lead and all three points. Rather than accepting his mistake and going for the game by substituting Mainoo on, Amorim replaced Luke Shaw with the returning Lisandro Martínez.
When asked about his decision to leave Mainoo on the bench, Amorim appeared to laugh at the question, instead choosing to focus on the attacking players he had on the pitch already in Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.
Youth, Courage and Success
Manchester United is built on youth, courage and success. However, in the current side, Amorim appears unwilling to use the club’s most promising talent, scared of making a minor change to his system, and unlikely to ever achieve real success.
Mainoo is not the problem. He continues to work hard and showcase the values the club was built on, but he isn’t rewarded with opportunities, even when the team are playing poorly and looking lost for ideas.
Against Everton, Mainoo was brought on in the 58th minute of one of the worst performances seen at Old Trafford, but even then, the crowd roared their approval and tried to get behind the team. All because of Mainoo’s introduction.
It now seems Amorim is trying to prove a point by not awarding Mainoo a chance. Something has to change. And fast.
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