Ruben Amorim has defended his decision to leave Kobbie Mainoo on the bench during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham on Thursday night.
Diogo Dalot put United in front in the second half with an excellent touch and finish from close range, however, Amorim’s side were unable to hold on to their advantage as Soungoutou Magassa equalised for West Ham with seven minutes remaining.
Amorim used all five of his substitutions with Leny Yoro replacing Ayden Heaven at half time, while Dalot was brought off for Patrick Dorgu before Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount were brought on for Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee. With two minutes remaining, Amoim replaced Luke Shaw with Lisandro Martinez.
Mainoo, meanwhile, has not started a game since the penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup in August and has now been an unused substitute for the fourth time in the Premier League this season.
When asked if he would reconsider his conservative substitutions after the draw with West Ham, Amorim said: ‘No, we are losing because of the second balls, sometimes it’s not more men in front that you are going to win the ball.
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‘We had more men to put in the offence? Who? Who would be more offensive?’
When Mainoo’s name was suggested, Amorim laughed and replied: ‘Yes, it was the second ball and I was worried with Matheus, I know Bruno [Fernandes] reached the box really well, Mason Mount is playing in his position, they were trying to push us, Bryan [Mbeumo] has a lot of pace to try to win the ball in one transition, so that was my idea.’
Amorim also admits he has concerns over United’s inability to see out games from winning positions.
‘I always have the feeling, I think everyone has the feeling we need to score more goals, nothing is sure,’ Amorim said.
‘Even with Brighton, we were 3-0 and suddenly… so we suffer with that, we are inconsistent, we need to improve.’
The draw leaves United eighth in the Premier League with 22 points from 14 games and two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
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