"We needed him to go out, for the team" - Amorim explains Zirkzee early sub

Manchester United's loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford was the fourth consecutive defeat for the Mancunians, who also suffered a third consecutive league defeat at home for the first time since 1979. 

The results did not back up the arrival of Ruben Amorim, whose arrival was supposed to change the bad dynamic of the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag, but nothing could have been further from the truth. 

In fact, the Portuguese coach has not been able to find the key to make the English team's style of play work as well as the flashy one he used at Sporting Lisbon. A clear example of this was Joshua Zirkzee's substitution in the 38th minute of United's defeat to the Magpies. 

The former Bologna striker was visibly annoyed at being substituted and even went straight to the dressing room after being replaced so early, something Amorim explained in a press conference after the defeat at Old Trafford.

"Josh is a really good lad. We will support him and keep going. It was really tough for me to do that, but I've spoken to Josh as it was important to express the message. We needed Josh to go out, for the team," he told reporters.