Ruben Amorim admits it was “tough” for Joshua Zirkzee after he was substituted early during Manchester United’s loss to Newcastle on Monday evening.
Eddie Howe’s side cruised to a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford, plunging the Red Devils further into crisis.
Amorim’s side remain 14th in the Premier League table and have now lost three consecutive games at home for the first time since the 1962-63 season.
Netherlands international Zirkzee started alongside Amad Diallo as one of the two options behind striker Rasmus Hojlund but lasted only 33 minutes before he was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
The decision to withdraw the striker - who has scored three goals this season in 27 appearances - appeared to have been cheered by swathes of the Old Trafford crowd.
"I feel sorry for him, there's a human being in there..." 🎙
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 30, 2024
Joshua Zirkzee is replaced by Kobbie Mainoo after half an hour. pic.twitter.com/v9FBAvkK3x
Sky Sports pundit and Gary Neville called it “brutal” for the former Bologna forward, adding: “I know that he's earning a lot of money but there's a human being in there that's basically being cheered off by his home fans and that is brutal.”
Asked about the decision after the game, Amorim said: “You have to think about the team. The player is suffering during the game. We needed another midfielder. It was tough on me to do that, I talked with Joshua on that. I’m always thinking about the team. At that moment it was important for him to come out.”
“I know that Josh is a really good guy. When he went to the tunnel, I can understand that some guys can be in a bad way but he is a really good lad. It is life, and we will support Josh and continue. Newcastle were better than Manchester United, they weren't better than Josh.”
