Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim laughs at suggestion of bringing Kobbie Mainoo on from the bench during West Ham draw, video goes viral

Ruben Amorim laughed at suggestion that he could have brought on Kobbie Mainoo during Manchester United’s Premier League match with West Ham United on Thursday, December 4.

After a goalless first 45 minutes, Diogo Dalot opened the scoring just before the hour mark, but Soughgoutou Magassa equalized for the Hammers seven minutes from time to force a share of the spoils at Old Trafford.

By full-time, Amorim had used all five of his substitutions. Leny Yoro replaced Ayden Heaven at half-time; Dalot was taken off for Patrick Dorgu. Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount were brought on at the same time to replace Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee, while Lisandro Martinez came on for Luke Shaw two minutes from time.

Mainoo has yet to start a game for Manchester United since the penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup in August. He played as a substitute in United’s last two games but was an unused substitute in the draw with West Ham.

During the post-match press conference, Amorim was asked whether he would change his subs if he had to go back and do it again.

“No, we are losing because of the second balls,” he responded. “Sometimes it’s not more men in front that you are going to win the ball. We had more men to put in the offence? Who?" he asked. "Who would be more offensive?

Mainoo’s name was mooted, but Amorim laughed and replied:

“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.”

Mainoo has played just 265 minutes across all competitions this season. Amid his lack of playing time, he has been linked with a January move away from Manchester United.

What Ruben Amorim said last month about Kobbie Mainoo’s reduced playing time at Manchester United

Ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Crystal Palace last month, Amorim said he is team-focused when asked about Mainoo’s reduced role in the team. He also stated that it was 'unfair' that concerns still persist about the young midfielder when several of his teammates are also in a similar situation.

He told reporters:

“Yeah, but this is a team sport. You talk a lot of about Kobbie, I have more players in my squad that want to be in the World Cup, so it's a little bit unfair. I put Kobbie [in on Monday] because he's really good near the box, to have a guy like Bruno and him, they can find spaces near the box and score goals. So that was my idea. So, I will use Kobbie and the rest of them to try for the team to win.”

“So, I'm not just focused on one individual. I want to help all my players and I know how special it is for a player to play World Cup. My job is to win as a team and to focus as a team. So, Kobbie Mainoo is in the same situation as the other guys. If I feel that is the best thing to win the game, I will do it. So that's it.”

Mainoo came through the ranks at Manchester United and has made 82 appearances for the senior team to date.