Amorim Blasts United Entitlement After Social Posts

• Amorim criticised a culture he says fuels dissent and entitlement at Manchester United
• He addressed social media posts from youngsters Chido Obi and Harry Amass after his comments on academy readiness
• Amorim separated Kobbie Mainoo from a family protest shirt and urged players to fight for their place

Ruben Amorim has accused some Manchester United players of having a “feeling of entitlement” after incidents involving academy youngsters Chido Obi and Harry Amass, who posted provocative images on social media.

The posts came after Amorim questioned whether some of the club’s academy graduates are ready to step into the first team. Asked about the situation at his news conference on Friday, the United coach did not dodge it.

“I think it is the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club,” the Portuguese coach said.

“Sometimes strong words are not bad words. Sometimes difficult moments are not a bad thing for the kids.

“We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation.

“We are not helping, that is why you guys [the media] talk about a lot of players, nowadays they speak and go against the club because they feel entitlement.

“Sometimes I am the first to say that I am failing this club inside the pitch, I have that feeling we are not performing the way we should.

“But outside the pitch I guarantee you I am not failing this club. I think it is something in our club. The players sometimes forget what it means to play for Manchester United.

“We as a club sometimes forget who we are and that is the feeling I have. I understand everything, it is the environment of the players, the kids, they feel free to reply to the manager with a picture.

“The door to my office is open. Nobody is coming to talk to me and that is the way we can solve things so I think we need to change as a club.”

Amorim was also asked about another moment that attracted attention at Old Trafford, when Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wore a shirt with a message calling for the midfielder’s release, a reference to Mainoo’s lack of minutes this season.

Jordan Mainoo Hames wore the shirt ahead of the 4 to 4 draw with Bournemouth. Amorim made a clear distinction between the actions of Mainoo and his brother and insisted team selection will not be influenced by outside noise. He then used the moment to urge Mainoo to ignore talk from former players suggesting he should leave if he is not playing.

“It was not Kobbie that wore the T-shirt,” Amorim said.

“He is not going to start because of the T-shirt or go to the bench because of it.

“He is going to play if he is the right player to play. I am not going to do something to Kobbie because someone in his family is doing something.”

“We have legends of the club saying if you don’t play, leave, because everyone is wrong. No, let’s stay, let’s fight, let’s overcome.”