Manchester United transfer news as Ruben Amorim's double change at Fulham points towards late summer transfer plea
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Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim(Image: PA)
In the 53rd minute of Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday, Ruben Amorim made a decision that produced more questions than answers, one that will need addressing before the transfer window closes.
United took on Fulham at Craven Cottage looking to win for the first time this season after last week's defeat to Arsenal. There wasn't a lot to split the two sides in the first-half with Bruno Fernandes' missed penalty the key talking point.
After the break, Amorim gave his starting 11 just eight minutes to convince him that something was coming before changes were made. In the 53rd minute, the United boss brought off Amad for Diogo Dalot and introduced Benjamin Sesko, replacing Casemiro.
The tweak in personnel saw Mason Mount, who had played as a false nine, partner Bruno Fernandes in midfield and Sesko leading the line. Predominately an attack-minded midfielder, Mount was favoured by Amorim to play a position Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo are natural in.
Both players were left on the bench. Last week, Ugarte came on for Casemiro and failed to impress while Mainoo was an unused substitute. Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, made the point that the substitution says a lot about what the United boss thinks about Ugarte and Mainoo.
Last season, the two midfielders played a combined 82 games and there were only seven games - of the 60 United played in total - where neither featured. Following a summer where United's midfield has been under the microscope in the transfer window, the decision seems strange.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo hasn't played a minute for Manchester United this season
After Leny Yoro's opener, United did introduce Ugarte for Mount after it became apparent that Fulham were running things in the middle of the park before two more players came on, but no sign of Mainoo.
The transfer rumour mill has linked United with a catalogue of central midfielders throughout the window. At the start of the window, Joao Palhinha - who went on to join Tottenham - and Richard Rios were both linked with Corentin Tolisso, Wilfred Ndidi, Ederson, Morten Hjulmand and Felix Nmecha all following them.
There is just over a week until the transfer window and there is still scope of the club signing a new midfielder, although very slim. Senne Lammens is closing in on providing more competition in the goalkeeper department but Amorim's seeming persistence to ignore Mainoo does create hope of a new midfielder coming in.
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