Amorim: I talked with Josh

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has explained his decision to substitute Joshua Zirkzee in the first half of our loss to Newcastle United.

A frantic start saw the Reds concede twice in 20 minutes and we looked under threat of falling further behind before reaching the break. Amorim decided a change was needed, and bringing Kobbie Mainoo on for Joshua Zirkzee was what he opted for in the 33rd minute.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the manager said: “I talked with Josh about that, because it’s important to express the message, but I’m always thinking about the team, and, in that moment, it was important for the team [for] Josh [to] go out.

“You have to think about the team and also, sometimes about the player, because the player is suffering. I was there a few years ago and I know that he wants [it], because I saw it during the week, and that’s the most important thing.”

Expanding on the tactical reasons for the switch, Amorim continued: “I felt that the team was suffering another midfielder to have more ball, and then we start to have more ball with Kobbie Mainoo.

“It was really, really, really tough on me to do that [substitution].”

That change, and the subsequent decisions made after the break, did restrict the Magpies to their two early goals, but we were unfortunately unable to mount a comeback on the night.

The Portuguese boss was keen to stress that the defeat did not rest on the shoulders of Zirkzee and that he’ll be an important member of the team for the games ahead.

“He’s a really good lad, so you’ll have the support and you will prepare the next game,” he added.

“It’s some moments, and you have some examples like Harry Maguire, that have some tough moments, but that is life in every profession.

“So we will support Josh and continue because, like I said, Newcastle were a better team. Was not better than Josh, was better than Manchester United.”

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