Kobbie Mainoo’s situation is dominating the agenda at Manchester United after Ruben Amorim snubbed him for both Premier League games, but his teammate in a similar boat is equally as worrying.
Due to his handling of Kobbie Mainoo, who hasn’t left the bench in the two games the team has had trouble controlling the ball, Ruben Amorim is receiving his first real criticism from Manchester United supporters.
It is understandable why Mainoo is searching for a way out, especially when you consider Manuel Ugarte’s subpar performances and Amorim’s dubious justification for excluding him.
But as a result of all these changes, a player who shares Mainoo’s situation isn’t sparking as much conversation.
Ruben Amorim is yet to play Joshua Zirkzee
At the very least, Mainoo participated in the preseason, so he will be match-fit if called up to start for United.
The same cannot be said for Joshua Zirkzee, who missed the entire preseason due to injury and was already lagging behind the rest of the club.
Due to Zirkzee’s improved reputation at the close of the previous season, the club rejected this summer’s attempts to sign him.
Amorim reportedly had huge ambitions for Zirkzee, but the situation is worrisome given that he has played zero minutes in seven games thus far (two league games and five friendly).
Since Zirkzee was unable to play in the five preseason friendlies, it is even more crucial that Amorim starts preparing him by starting him off the bench.
In both games, Man Utd supporters were treated to Harry Maguire as the backup striker, with Ayden Heaven and Manuel Ugarte entering the game as the side was trying to score.
Amorim’s subs are setting the wrong tone
After the tie with Fulham, Amorim stated that his team is still dealing with the scars from the previous campaign, which is why they switch to defense-first mode if they score first in an attempt to salvage a victory.
Nonetheless, the manager’s replacements are largely responsible for that since they instill a sense of unease.
Regardless of their final position, four of the five changes made against Fulham were defensive. When players like Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo are on the field, it is not acceptable.
Together with Cunha and Mbeumo, Zirkzee in particular has the potential to masterfully weave the play together, but that is all that can be said about that trio.
When his subs convey the same message, Amorim is unable to criticize the team for being fearful of losing. As troubling as Mainoo’s circumstances are, so is his (lack of) use of Zirkzee.
The manager’s questions are summed up by the two guys who have played 0 minutes this season.
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