Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has openly criticized a growing sense of “entitlement” among some of the club’s young players, highlighting concerns about culture and discipline at Old Trafford. The comments come amid the ongoing saga surrounding midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to feature in a Premier League starting lineup this season.
Amorim Hits Out at Young Players’ Attitudes
At a pre-match press conference on Friday, Amorim addressed provocative social media posts by two Manchester United academy players that he says reflect a damaging mindset within the club.
The 18-year-olds, Harry Amass and Chido Obi, each posted and later deleted Instagram stories. Amass shared a photo holding Sheffield Wednesday’s Player of the Month award for November with a grinning emoji, while Obi posted an image celebrating a goal for the Under-21s against Manchester City in August.
“I think it’s a little bit the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club,” Amorim said. “Sometimes, strong words are not bad words. Sometimes, difficult moments are not bad things for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation.”
Call for Culture Change at Manchester United
Amorim emphasized the need for a culture shift at Old Trafford. With Manchester United currently sixth in the Premier League, the manager highlighted the importance of players understanding the legacy and responsibility of representing the club.
“The players sometimes forget about what it means to play for Manchester United. We as a club sometimes forget who we are,” he said. “They feel entitled. They feel free to respond to the manager with a picture.”
Amorim encouraged open dialogue, stating, “My office door is open if players want to discuss issues. Nobody is coming to talk to me, and that is the way we can solve things. So I think we need to change first as a club. And then everything is going to change.”
Kobbie Mainoo and the T-Shirt Controversy
The manager also addressed the ongoing Kobbie Mainoo situation, sparked by a T-shirt worn by Mainoo’s half-brother bearing the message “Free Kobbie Mainoo”. Amorim clarified that the midfielder’s game-time decisions are not influenced by the T-shirt.
“It was not Kobbie who wore the T-shirt. He is not going to start because of the T-shirt, but he’s not going to the bench because of the T-shirt. He’s going to play if we feel that he is the right guy. That is not an issue,” Amorim stated.
Mainoo, 20, is still awaiting his first Premier League start of the season, amid speculation that his lack of game time could lead to a departure from Old Trafford.
Squad Challenges Ahead of Aston Villa Clash
Manchester United face Aston Villa this Sunday, and Mainoo could see action due to suspensions and injuries. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is suspended after booking in the recent 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, while defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain sidelined. Additionally, Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Defender Luke Sahe previously spoke out in support of Amorim’s attempts to eradicate a “toxic” changing room culture at Manchester United, underscoring the club’s ongoing efforts to rebuild discipline and professionalism.
Conclusion
Ruben Amorim’s candid remarks highlight the challenges of managing young talent at one of football’s most iconic clubs. By addressing entitlement and emphasizing accountability, the Manchester United manager is seeking to instill a stronger team culture while balancing the development of promising players like Kobbie Mainoo.
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