Ruben Amorim has defended his comments about the club’s academy last week, saying Manchester United have some qualifications.
Last week, when asked about not using academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, Amorim used Harry Amas and Chido Obi as examples, implying they are currently not up to the standard United need.
Both players posted photos to their Instagram accounts, which appear to have been deleted in response to Amorim’s comments. Amass posted a picture of himself receiving the Player of the Month award at Sheffield Wednesday, while an image of Chido was pictured celebrating a goal for the U21s.
When asked about Amass and Obi, Amorim defended his “strong words”, suggesting the club’s young players feel “entitled” and the culture needs to change.
“I think it’s a feeling of qualification that our club has,” Amorim said at a press conference ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa. sky sports On Sunday.
“Sometimes strong words aren’t bad words, and sometimes difficult moments aren’t bad things for kids. We don’t always need to be praised for everything and in every situation.
“There’s a legend that talks about players who are against the club because they feel entitled, and if they don’t play, they’re told to leave because everyone is wrong. No, let’s stay and fight, let’s get over it. Maybe the manager is wrong. I have the feeling that we have to fight against this feeling.”
Cido Obi appeared on Amorim’s side.
Harry Amass is currently on loan.
“I am the first person to say I am failing on the pitch,” he added. “I have that feeling, we are not playing the way we should, but off the pitch I can assure you that we will not fail this club.
“We say players sometimes forget what it means to play for Manchester United. As a club sometimes we forget who we are. That’s how I feel.
“It’s an environment. Children are entitled and free to respond to managers through photos. The office is open, but no one comes to me. That’s how we can solve the problem.
“We have to change as a club.
“I’m not wrong. I talked about how lucky I am to play for Manchester United. Sometimes playing for Manchester United you see a different reality and you understand that football can be very different and I’m really lucky to be at Manchester United. That’s my point, but let’s move on.”
Amorim insists there are no problems with Mainoo.
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Amorim shares his reaction to Jordan Mainoo-Hames’ ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt he wore in support of his half-brother during United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Amorim says there are no issues with Mainu after his half-brother’s t-shirt stunt and hopes the Manchester United midfielder can fight for his future at the club.
The 20-year-old homegrown talent has gone from FA Cup hero to bench player to start England’s Euro 2024 final over the past 18 months.
Mainu saw his request for a loan move rejected in August and is still awaiting his first Premier League start, leading to speculation he could leave United in the January transfer window.
The midfielder came off the bench in Monday’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, where his half-brother Jordan Mainu-Haimes wore a ‘Free Kobe Mainu’ top, which he later posted about on social media.
When asked if he had ever told Mainu about the incident, Amorim laughed and said, “No, it wasn’t Kobe who wore that t-shirt.”
“He’s not going to start because of a t-shirt, but he’s not going to go to the bench because of a t-shirt. If we feel he’s the right guy to play, he’ll play. It doesn’t matter.
“I’m used to it. I’ve been here for a year. It’s not new so I have to deal with that part, but I’m not going to do something to Kobbie because someone in his family is doing something.”
Analysis: Amorim’s ‘eventful’ press conference
Sky Sports News Correspondent Dan Khan:
It was like a message to the locker room.
When asked this week about the situation around Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, Amorim reiterated how his office is always open to talk to the players.
When asked about two young players Amass and Obi on social media last week, Amorim posted a message (both posts have since been deleted) that appeared to discuss his lack of first-team involvement this season. He spoke about the sense of entitlement he feels among the younger players in the squad.
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Ruben Amorim says ‘everything is clear now’ after Bruno Fernandes was recently interviewed about his future.
He repeated the word ‘qualification’.
It’s hard to disagree with the United manager. Obi made seven appearances last season, while Amass made five appearances for the first team.
This season Amass continued his development at Sheffield Wednesday on loan this season. The club felt that a loan would seriously improve his future prospects at the club, particularly his defensive qualities.
Obi – I’ve watched him a number of times with the U21s, but there’s still a lot of progress he can make with academy coaches demanding more from him off the ball and build-up play.
However, like others last season, both players were given their opportunity due to several injuries in the team, while also prioritizing the Europa League. This is what Amorim was trying to explain last week, and today he expanded on it.
Academy players such as Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher will be expected to look to potentially impress next month, with Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire injured and Casemiro suspended on Sunday, while Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are expected to travel for the AFCON.
