Ruben Amorim has explained why he did not make more attacking substitutions and bring on Kobbie Mainoo in Manchester United's 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
United were hoping to pick up three points and climb to fifth in the Premier League table, and appeared on course to do so when Diogo Dalot opened the scoring in the second half. However, the visitors found a late equaliser from a corner, as Soungoutou Magassa poked the ball home from close range after Jarrod Bowen saw a header cleared off the line.
With West Ham struggling so far this season, there was bewilderment at Amorim's refusal to bring on more attacking players to change the game. Instead, the Portuguese head coach turned to Manuel Ugarte, who didn't have the best of cameos.
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Amorim Explains Substitution Decisions
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo clapping.
Premier League - Brentford v Manchester United - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - September 27, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo look dejected after the match REUTERS/David Klein
Amorim was asked why he decided not to press home United's advantage after the match concluded. He insisted that there were no real options for him to turn to on the bench, saying: "We had more men to put in the offence? Who? Who would be more offensive?"
Although the manager did bring on Mason Mount for Joshua Zirkzee with 12 minutes left to play, he opted to leave teenager Shea Lacey and Mainoo on the bench. And when the latter's name was mentioned as an alternative option to Ugarte, Amorim laughed and explained why the England star didn't make an appearance.
"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."
Check Out Amorim's Comments Below:
United Fans Slam Amorim's Substitution Explanation
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim (right) speaks to Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim (right) speaks to Manuel Ugarte on the touchline during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday October 25, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images/Alamy Images/Sipa USA)
However, United supporters haven't accepted Amorim's reasoning, with many believing that they did have other options, like Mainoo and Lacey, who could have affected the game more than Ugarte. One fan, reacting to his comments on social media, wrote: "This guy is not real, on my life. We made 5 subs, 3 of them were defenders, 1 was Ugarte. AT HOME! Not bringing on Mainoo and Lacey (idc if he’s young) is criminal."
The decision not to bring on Carrington graduate Mainoo was the source of particular frustration amongst the fanbase, with one more writing: "Very stubborn man... he left Mainoo on the bench and put on Ugarte." A fellow supporter, answering Amorim's question on who would be more offensive, stated: "Oh I don't know, maybe the midfielder that played for England in the Euro final last year????"
Some supporters have stated that they have grown tired of Amorim's explanations for what they perceive as mistakes. One simply wrote: "Can this guy just leave?"
And one final United fan, questioning the manager's tactics, said: "He’s absolutely lost it. Said it earlier, all he wants forwards for is to win 2nd balls. He has no intention to attack or show any courage. Pathetic."