John O Shea believes Ruben Amorim let a big chance slip in the defeat against Everton. The former Manchester United defender thinks one brave decision on the touchline could have changed everything at Old Trafford.โ
United lost 1-0 at home to a 10-man Everton side. Idrissa Gueye saw red inside the first 15 minutes after a clash with teammate Michael Keane, but Everton still found a way to win. Kieran Dewsbury Hall scored the decisive goal, and United never found a response. The stadium expected a reaction. It never came.โ
What John O Shea thinks
For John O Shea, the turning point was not a single chance on the pitch. It was a decision Amorim did not take. United had teenager Shea Lacey on the bench. The winger finally made the matchday squad and looked ready for his first real taste of senior football. Amorim chose not to use him. That choice annoyed O Shea.โ
Speaking after the game, he argued that the manager needed to be bolder. In his view, Amorim could have taken off a centre back, reshaped the back line and pushed a midfielder deeper to free a spot for Lacey. United were chasing the game against 10 men. They needed spark, movement and surprise. O Shea felt the youngster could bring exactly that.
Lacey’s Credibility
Lacey has built a big reputation in the academy. Coaches and fans talk about his flair and creativity. At 18, he has already drawn comparisons to Phil Foden because of his close control and ability to glide past defenders in tight spaces. Amorim is known to rate him highly and pushed for his involvement around the first team. That made his absence from the pitch even more frustrating for some observers.โ
O Shea focused on Laceyโs โfreshnessโ and โrawnessโ. In a flat attacking display, that kind of unpredictability can unsettle a deep defence. Everton sat in, defended the box and relied on Jordan Pickford to make key saves. Unitedโs more established attackers could not break them down. A fearless teenager, playing with nothing to lose, might have asked different questions.โโ
Frustration About the Team
Instead, Amorim stuck largely with familiar options and a similar structure. Tactical pieces after the match pointed out that United recognised early that their plan was not working, yet the changes stayed conservative. Shape tweaks came, but the overall approach did not shift enough to stretch a compact 10-man side. It felt like trying to execute Plan A better rather than adopting a true Plan B.โ
This is why O Sheaโs criticism hits a nerve. It is not just about one teenager. It is about what his introduction would have represented. Risk. Imagination. A willingness to lean on the academy when the senior players look out of ideas. At a club built on the legacy of trusting youth, leaving a top prospect unused in a desperate situation feels like a missed statement
Of course, there are arguments on Amorimโs side. Throwing a young player into a tense game can backfire. The atmosphere was heavy. Unitedโs unbeaten run had just ended, and the pressure was growing. A coach might worry about damaging confidence with a difficult debut. There is also the question of physical readiness at this level.โ
Conclusion
Yet football often turns on brave moments. Managers live and die by them. O Sheaโs point is simple. United were struggling badly against 10 men. The usual solutions were not working. In that situation, doing something different is not just allowed. It is almost required.โ
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on how Amorim handles Lacey and the other youngsters. He has spoken publicly about paying attention to the academy. Now fans want to see that belief on the pitch. If Lacey starts to get minutes and shines, this Everton defeat will feel even more like a night when a bold roll of the dice might have made all the difference.
