The modern game, with its relentless pace and increasingly fine margins, often hinges not just on the strength of a team’s starting eleven, but on the depth and dynamism available on the substitutes’ bench. A timely change, a fresh pair of legs, or a tactical tweak facilitated by a player introduced from the sidelines can be the catalyst for a shift in momentum, the unlocking of a stubborn defense, or the securing of vital points. For Manchester United, a recurring theme in recent seasons has been the occasional struggle to influence games positively through their substitutions, a stark contrast to instances where opposition benches have provided the decisive edge. A compelling illustration of the transformative power of substitutes can be found in West Ham United’s recent Premier League encounter against Bournemouth at the London Stadium on April 5th, 2025. Despite trailing at half-time, a series of astute changes by Graham Potter ignited a second-half revival, securing a 2-2 draw and underscoring the crucial role that impactful substitutions can play in altering the course of a match.
Manchester United’s own recent outing, a hard-fought but ultimately goalless draw against Manchester City at Old Trafford on April 6th, 2025, offered a different narrative regarding the influence of substitutes. While Ruben Amorim’s side managed to secure a valuable point against their local rivals, the changes made from the bench did little to significantly alter the attacking complexion of the game. With their tally of just 37 Premier League goals this season ranking as the sixth-worst in the top flight, the need for greater offensive invention and a more potent threat beyond the starting lineup is evident. The substitutions of Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee for Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Hojlund in the second half aimed to inject fresh energy and attacking impetus, yet the game ultimately petered out into a stalemate.
Examining the changes made by Amorim, it’s pertinent to analyze the context of the substitutions. Hojlund, leading the line, had not registered a shot on goal before being replaced in the 71st minute. While he offers a focal point, his lack of attempts highlighted a potential struggle to find space or service against a disciplined City defense. Zirkzee, his replacement, did inject some late energy, notably harassing City’s defenders. He even had a late opportunity, connecting with a Garnacho cutback, but his first-time shot was well saved by Ederson. This moment, however, stood out as a solitary flicker of potential game-winning impact from the bench, rather than a sustained period of pressure or a clear tactical shift unlocked by the change. Mount, who came on for Ugarte in the same minute, similarly struggled to exert a significant influence on the game’s attacking flow. His booking perhaps underscored a frustration in his attempts to disrupt City’s rhythm rather than a creative spark in the final third.
In stark contrast, the West Ham versus Bournemouth fixture unfolded with a second-half transformation directly attributable to the manager’s proactive use of his substitutes. Trailing 1-0 at the interval courtesy of an Evanilson strike, Graham Potter opted for an immediate change, introducing Emerson for Ollie Scarles. This switch, while potentially aimed at adding more experience and solidity, was a precursor to more impactful attacking alterations. In the 54th minute, a double substitution saw Niclas Füllkrug and Carlos Soler replace Edson Álvarez and Tomás Souček. This proved to be the turning point. Just seven minutes after his introduction, Füllkrug rose to meet a James Ward-Prowse corner, heading home the equalizer. This immediate impact highlighted the value of introducing a different profile of attacker, with Füllkrug’s aerial prowess providing a threat that Bournemouth had struggled to contain from set-pieces.
The momentum shift continued, and in the 68th minute, another substitute played a crucial role in West Ham taking the lead. Mohammed Kudus, who had provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s headed goal, had been introduced earlier in the second half. While not directly a substitute at that specific moment, the earlier changes had clearly altered the team’s attacking dynamic, creating the space and opportunity for Kudus to deliver the decisive cross. Bowen’s header itself ended a run without a goal or assist at the London Stadium, suggesting the changes around him had created a more conducive environment for his attacking talents to flourish.
Further substitutions followed for West Ham, with Luis Guilherme replacing Kudus and Daniel Jebbison coming on for Evanilson late on. While these changes didn’t directly result in further goals, they served to manage the game and provide fresh legs as Bournemouth attempted to find an equalizer. Bournemouth themselves made several substitutions throughout the second half, but their changes, unlike West Ham’s, did not yield the same immediate goal-scoring impact, ultimately leading to a frustrating draw despite controlling parts of the game.
Analyzing the contrasting fortunes of the substitutes in these two fixtures reveals several key lessons for Manchester United. Firstly, the profile of the substitute matters significantly. Füllkrug offered West Ham a different aerial threat and a focal point in the box, qualities that directly led to their equalizing goal. Manchester United’s introduction of Zirkzee, while providing some late movement, perhaps lacked the specific tactical intent or the ideal service to unlock a stubborn City defense. Secondly, the timing and the context of the substitutions are crucial. Potter’s double change early in the second half came at a point where West Ham needed a spark, and the immediate impact of Füllkrug’s goal vindicated the decision. Manchester United’s changes came later in the game when the rhythm had largely been established, and City’s defensive structure remained firm.
Furthermore, a strong bench provides tactical flexibility. West Ham’s ability to introduce players with different skillsets allowed them to alter their attacking approach, moving from a potentially blunt first-half performance to a more direct and threatening one in the second. Manchester United, while having options on the bench, arguably lack the variety of profiles needed to drastically change their attacking strategy when the initial plan falters. The reliance on Bruno Fernandes to be the primary creative force means that substitutions often revolve around like-for-like changes in attacking midfield or forward positions, rather than introducing a player who can offer a completely different dimension, such as a genuine target man with exceptional aerial ability or a winger with blistering pace to exploit tired full-backs.
The impact of a substitute is not solely about individual brilliance; it’s also about how their introduction affects the team’s overall dynamic. Füllkrug’s presence seemed to lift West Ham’s attacking intent, creating more space and opportunities for players like Bowen and Kudus to operate effectively. In contrast, while Zirkzee showed glimpses, Manchester United’s overall attacking structure largely remained the same after the substitutions, still heavily reliant on moments of individual brilliance rather than a cohesive, altered approach.
To cultivate a more impactful bench at Old Trafford, several avenues could be explored. Identifying and recruiting players with distinct and complementary skillsets is paramount. A traditional target forward, a winger with genuine pace and dribbling ability, or a midfielder capable of unlocking defenses with incisive passes from deep could offer Amorim more tactical levers to pull when games are not going to plan. Developing a more adaptable tactical framework that allows for seamless shifts in approach when substitutes are introduced is also crucial. If the team is trained to operate effectively in different formations or with varying attacking focuses, the introduction of a specific substitute can trigger a more impactful change in the game’s flow.
Moreover, empowering substitutes to take risks and express themselves can be vital. A player coming off the bench often has less to lose and can inject a sense of urgency and directness that might be lacking in a tiring starting eleven. Creating an environment where substitutes feel encouraged to make a difference and are given the tactical freedom to do so can unlock hidden potential and lead to game-changing moments. The late save Ederson made from Zirkzee suggests that even in a relatively unchanged tactical setup, individual quality from the bench can still provide a threat, but a more concerted and tactically driven approach to substitutions could yield more consistent results.
In conclusion, while Manchester United’s draw against Manchester City secured a valuable point, the limited impact of their substitutes highlighted a potential area for improvement. The stark contrast with West Ham’s second-half revival against Bournemouth, fueled by the impactful introductions of Füllkrug and Soler, underscores the transformative power of well-timed and tactically astute substitutions. For Manchester United to consistently challenge at the highest level, cultivating a bench that offers genuine game-changing potential and provides the manager with the tactical flexibility to alter the course of a match is not just a desirable asset, but an increasingly vital necessity in the modern game. Learning from instances like West Ham’s comeback can provide valuable insights into how to inject that crucial spark from the sidelines and turn tight encounters into decisive victories.