Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has criticised two academy players for posting on social media, saying it reflected a damaging “feeling of entitlement” at the club.
Last week, Amorim noted that Harry Amass was “struggling” at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, while Chido Obi was not a guaranteed starter for United’s under-21s. Both 18-year-olds shared—and later deleted—Instagram stories. Amass posted a photo holding Sheffield Wednesday’s November Player of the Month award with a grinning emoji, while Obi shared an image celebrating an under-21 goal against Manchester City in August.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Amorim defended his frank approach. “I think it’s a little bit the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club,” he said. “Sometimes strong words are not bad words. Sometimes, difficult moments are not bad things for the kids. We don’t need accolades in every situation.”
The Portuguese coach called for a cultural shift at Old Trafford, with United sitting sixth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa. “The players sometimes forget what it means to play for Manchester United. We as a club sometimes forget who we are,” he added. “They feel entitled. They feel free to respond to the manager with a picture.”
Amorim said his door remains open for players to discuss issues, but so far no one has come forward. “We need to change first as a club. Then everything is going to change,” he said.
The United boss also addressed a T-shirt worn by Kobbie Mainoo’s half-brother reading “Free Kobbie Mainoo.” Mainoo, 20, is yet to make his first Premier League start of the season. Amorim clarified: “It was not Kobbie who wore the T-shirt. He is not going to start because of the T-shirt but he is not going to the bench because of the T-shirt. He’s going to play if we feel that he is the right guy.”
With Brazil midfielder Casemiro suspended for the Villa match, Mainoo could get an opportunity. United will also be without defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire through injury, and Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo are away for the Africa Cup of Nations.
