Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey failed to get off the bench as Manchester United drew with West Ham at Old Trafford.
A frustrating 1-1 draw with West Ham means that Manchester United have missed another opportunity to climb into the top five in the Premier League.
Once again, United looked uninspiring in the final third until Diogo Dalot scored his first goal of the season to break the deadlock.
Who was Man Utd’s Man of the Match vs West Ham?
But United failed to build on their lead and were caught out by a West Ham corner, eventually turned in by Soungoutou Magassa.
Amorim made changes to try and defend United’s lead, and his comments after full-time don’t reflect well on Shea Lacey and Kobbie Mainoo.
Ruben Amorim bemoans lack of attacking options
Lacey has been impressing in training, and for the third matchweek in a row he was named on the bench by Amorim.
He sat alongside fellow academy graduate Mainoo, who finds himself in a very different position, trying to work his way back into the line-up.
Amorim made all five changes against West Ham, but decided against introducing Lacey or Mainoo.
What is your MESSAGE to Ruben Amorim after the 1-1 draw vs West Ham?
“We had good moments and we lost a little bit of control after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.”
Ruben Amorim
After the full-time whistle, Amorim responded to criticism over his substitutions, saying: “Who would be more offensive? Bryan has a lot of pace to win the ball in transition, that was my idea.”
That initial question should ring alarm bells for Mainoo and Lacey. Amorim overlooked the academy duo when talking about attacking options off the bench.
Ruben Amorim substitutions backfired
Amorim was just minutes away from securing an important three points and recording a first clean sheet since the start of October.
But one lapse of concentration from a set piece has completely changed the narrative, and Amorim should expect his changes to be scrutinised.
Other than Mason Mount, every change made against West Ham was made with defending at the forefront of Amorim’s thinking.
Small margins make the difference in the Premier League, and Amorim’s decisions backfired against West Ham.
Mainoo is open to leaving in January, and matches like that will not help to change his mind. As for Lacey, he must be wondering when his debut will finally arrive.
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