Amorim has come under fire this season for failing to trust his academy players.
On a night when home-grown pair Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey remained on the bench, evidence for Amorim’s caution was seen in the performance of 19-year-old defender Ayden Heaven.
Given his first start of the season at the centre of United’s famed three-man defence, Heaven was turned by 33-year-old striker Callum Wilson, and fortunate not to be punished as the West Ham man failed to control with a clear run at goal ahead of him.
Less than 10 minutes were on the clock when Heaven rashly charged into Bowen and was booked.
It was part of a skittish opening from the home side and they did not settle until close to half-time, when Joshua Zirkzee’s improvised effort was cleared off the line by former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
That was followed by a Bruno Fernandes shot which flicked off the outside of a post.
It was a game of few chances though and, against limited opposition, Dalot’s first league goal at Old Trafford – and only his fourth in 151 league appearances – appeared to be enough.
But not for the first time in recent weeks, their limitations were exposed and they failed to see a game out from a winning position.
Just over a week ago, after his team were beaten at home by 10-man Everton, Amorim said United were a long way from where they need to be. This was further evidence he was speaking the truth.
