Ruben Amorim acknowledges first half substitution was difficult moment for Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has acknowledged and accepted responsibility for substituting Joshua Zirkzee in the first half of their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United.

With United trailing 2-0 early in the match, Amorim made the decision to replace Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes, a move that was met with jeers from the home crowd.

Amorim empathized with Zirkzee, calling it a difficult moment, and emphasized that the decision was his, reflecting the pressure to turn the game around in such high-stakes situations.

He acknowledged that moments like these are tough for players and took full accountability for the substitution.