Ruben Amorim immediately reacted to Matheus Cunha and four other Manchester United players after the Red Devils’ Premier League performance against West Ham.
The Red Devils hosted the Hammers at Old Trafford on Thursday and Manchester United dropped invaluable points again after failing to hold onto their lead.
Who was Man Utd’s Man of the Match vs West Ham?
West Ham started strong against United in the early stages of the first half before the Red Devils started to assert their dominance over the Hammers in the match.
United and West Ham went into half-time with a 0-0 scoreline on the board, but the Red Devils made their breakthrough in the second half through Diogo Dalot.
However, the Hammers rallied back on Thursday evening and West Ham netted the all-important equaliser after Soungoutou Magassa made an impact in the match.
Ruben Amorim is asked about Kobbie Mainoo and singles out Matheus Cunha among four Man Utd players
Speaking after the Premier League result, Ruben Amorim was forced to defend his tactical changes after he brought on four defensive-minded players in the match.
“No. We are losing because of the second balls,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Sometimes there’s not more men in front that you are going to win the ball. We had more men to put in the offence?
“Who? Who would be more offensive?”
THIS was Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo’s first meeting – November 12, 2024
Mason Mount was United’s only attacking option that was subbed onto the pitch in the second half, with Kobbie Mainoo left on the bench as an unused substitute.
United manager Amorim was asked if he did not consider Kobbie Mainoo coming on against West Ham and he suggested that he was “worried” for Matheus Cunha.
“Yes. It was the second balls and I was worried with Matheus,” he added at his post-match press conference.
“I know that Bruno [Fernandes] reached the box really well.
“Mason Mount is playing in this position. So, I tried. They were trying to push us. Bryan has a lot of pace to try to win the ball in one transition. So that was my idea.”
Matheus Cunha’s return to the Man Utd starting XI falls flat after the 1-1 West Ham result
Cunha was straight into the United XI on Thursday evening after the former Wolves ace missed the Red Devils’ last two Premier League matches due to injury.
The 26-year-old Brazilian forward struggled to make a real impact for United in the final third and made way in the second half of the match for Manuel Ugarte.
Matheus Cunha has been compared to Dwight Yorke – Do you see it?
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“Cunha’s got that ability, we were very fortunate to play with Yorkie, he could drop back, play in behind, almost like a 10 role.
“Cunha’s ability in terms of his shooting from outside the box, he’s got the pass, he can run in behind. It’s good to see him back.”
Quinton Fortune
Amorim might have singled out what Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo were doing for United amid his ‘worry’ for Cunha in the 1-1 draw.
But the 40-year-old United manager rolled the dice too soon with Brazil international Cunha, who should have started on the bench and been subbed on for the match.
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