Whatever you have made of Joshua Zirkzee's start to his Manchester United career, there is no denying the response to his substitution against Newcastle United was uncalled for.

With United trailing 2-0 with just 33 minutes on the clock at Old Trafford, head coach Ruben Amorim felt he had no choice but to change something. He turned to his bench and instructed Kobbie Mainoo to get ready.

Mainoo, who had started the defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day four days earlier, replaced Zirkzee. As his number was displayed on the fourth official's board, members of the Old Trafford crowd produced ironic cheers in response.

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It was incredibly harsh and distasteful. You could not help but feel sorry for the Netherlands international, who wrestled hold of his tracksuit coat and made a beeline for the Stretford End tunnel, visibly shaken by the response.

After a few minutes, the former Bologna man reappeared from the tunnel and made his way along the touchline and back to the dugout. Many supporters sat in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand applauded him upon his return.

He was also applauded by United teammates Alejandro Garnacho and Leny Yoro, who were warming up close to the tunnel. As Zirkzee made his way past the duo, Garnacho applauded and instructed the crowd to follow suit in a show of support for his teammate.

Garnacho was a contender to start the clash with Eddie Howe's side after stepping off the bench for the third game running against Wolves. Like Marcus Rashford, he was axed from the matchday squad for the 2-1 win over Manchester City last month, but he was welcomed back into the squad at the first available opportunity, making the bench for the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup four days later.

However, the Argentine is still waiting to make his first start since being left out for the short trip across Manchester. Nevertheless, his response to Zirkzee's withdrawal against Newcastle offered enough evidence to suggest he has listened to the interesting explanation Amorim gave for his and Rashford's exclusion against City.

Amorim, explaining why Rashford and Garnacho were axed from the squad against United's cross-city rivals, said: "It is important the performance in training, the performance in games, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with your teammates, the way you push your teammates."

Garnacho's support for Zirkzee on Monday evening was a classy touch. He, like thousands of others, recognised the response to the Dutchman's withdrawal was wrong.

He clearly felt sorry for his teammate and wanted to ensure he was shown respect. Such moments are likely to matter to Amorim given his recent admission.