RUBEN AMORIM did not pull his punches following a dismal Manchester United performance against Southampton.
The Portuguese boss admitted he would learn more about his players from this game than he had against Liverpool or Arsenal.
And the opening 45 minutes against the Saints proved there was still a long way to go before this team could be considered a European challenger.
With new manager Ivan Juric, the Prem’s bottom side created a plethora of dangerous chances that were thwarted by Andre Onana, before Manuel Ugarte bundled into his own net from a corner.
Brutal Amorim then hooked Kobbie Mainoo at half-time and replaced him with Antony.
The move comes with Mainoo in the middle of stalled contract talks and reports about his future swirling, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich both said to be interested in the midfielder’s services.
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Amorim made more changes a few minutes into the second half as well, with Rasmus Hojlund and Manuel Ugarte both being hooked as Joshua Zirkzee and Toby Collyer replaced them.
Reacting to the changes on social media, one fan said: “If Amorim used all five subs at HT, he would be completely justified in doing so…..”
A second said: “I don’t get that substitution at all and will add fuel to the rumour mill fire concerning Mainoo but I will trust the Amorim process.”
A third added: “Antony on for Mainoo? does Amorim want to lose this game?”
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Another said: “Zirkzee already done more than Hojlund since he came on … this one’s on Amorim for not starting him.”
A fifth said: “Why has he taken off Ugarte and not Garnacho. Shocking subs by Amorim.”
In the end, Amorim was vindicated with Manchester United triumphing 3-1.
But many will put that down to the brilliance of Amad Diallo who scored a 12 minute hat-trick late in the game.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
