)
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted the decision to remove Joshua Zirkzee in the first half was a difficult one.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shouldered the blame for substituting Joshua Zirkzee early in their 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United on Monday night.
The Red Devils found themselves two goals down inside the first 20 minutes, courtesy of strikes from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
In response, Amorim made the bold decision to replace Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes.
)
)
08:01 - 31.12.2024
'Relegation is a possibility' - Amorim admits after Newcastle defeat
The Portuguese manager has suffered five defeats in his first eight league games as United coach.
The substitution was met with a chorus of jeers from the Old Trafford faithful as Zirkzee made his way off the pitch.
Amorim acknowledged the difficult moment for Zirkzee, saying:
"It was a very difficult moment [for Zirkzee] and he is a human being."
)
The manager took full responsibility for the substitution, adding:
"I'm responsible. When you have these kinds of moments, especially in the big clubs, you work really hard to turn things around.
"Also, especially when you don’t have a lot of time to train the basics to cope with the difficult moments."
The schedule does not get easier for Amorim's men as they travel to Anfield next weekend to face Liverpool.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)