“Terrible substitution” – BBC pundit slams Amorim’s pecking order as Man Utd star fails Arsenal test

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been criticised for his decision-making on the opening-day defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Portuguese manager gave Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo their debuts from the start, and the attacking duo impressed on their Old Trafford bow, especially the Brazilian who looked absolutely electric.

But sadly for the Red Devils, they weren’t able to find the back of the net, as David Raya was superb between the sticks. On the contrary, Altay Bayindir committed a howler in the 13th minute when he wasn’t able to properly clear an Arsenal corner kick, which gifted Riccardo Calafiori an easy tap-in. The Italian defender’s goal was the only difference between the two sides.

Ruben Amorim blasted for his choices as Man Utd lose to Arsenal

After the contest, the Man United faithful voiced their appreciation for the players who certainly didn’t deserve to come out empty-handed.

However, former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison wasn’t impressed with Amorim’s substitutions.

The manager started with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the double pivot, before taking off the Brazilian veteran for Manuel Ugarte.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Should Kobbie Mainoo be ahead of Manuel Ugarte in the pecking order?

Morisson wasn’t impressed with the Uruguay international, insisting that Kobbie Mainoo should have come on ahead of his teammate.

“Why are you making a challenge when you know you have got no chance of getting there?” said the BBC pundit when commenting on a late challenge from Ugarte.

“It has been a terrible substitution, bringing on Manuel Ugarte. Kobbie Mainoo should be ahead of Ugarte.”

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder also scuffed an opportunity to equalise in the 88th minute when he decided to go for goal himself from long range, despite the best pleas of the fans in the Stretford End

“He couldn’t shoot from there and the Stretford End thought the same.” noted Gary Neville on Sky Sports.