Ruben Amorim ‘throws Man Utd academy stars below bus’ in wild Kobbie Mainoo rant
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has launched into a scathing rant about the club’s academy graduates leaving fans fuming by ‘throwing three under the bus’
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been accused of throwing Red Devils’ youngsters ‘under the bus’ during a scathing attack at the club’s academy.
United, famed for their youth academy, haven’t seen many youngsters break through under Amorim – with former star boy and FA Cup hero Kobbie Mainoo relegated to the bench this season under the Portuguese boss and reportedly looking for an Old Trafford exit in the January transfer window.
Amorim insists the 20-year-old, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, has not taken advantage of his opportunities and club legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who have claimed he needs to leave for the good of his career, “sometimes don’t have all the information”.
Scholes and Butt have claimed that Mainoo has to leave United for the good of his career after failing to make a Premier League start this season. Admitting that United are “underachieving”, he went on to suggest that that three Academy players who have been promoted into the first-team did so prematurely. In a spectacular rant, Amorim said: “He [Toby Collyer] played [for the first team].
“He’s from the academy. He played here. He went to West Bromwich. He’s not playing. He played for Manchester United. So sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever.
“It’s the situation, what’s happened. I don’t know what is going to be the future [for Mainoo]). Let’s see after this match. [Harry] Amass is now struggling in the Championship.
“Chido [Obi] is not always a starter in under 21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager!”
Collyer made his first United start under Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag, but he was selected ahead of Casemiro for United’s 2-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League, last January.
While both Amass and Obi made their first-team bow under Amorim, Amass in on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, where he has made 15 starts, and Obi mainly trains with the under 21s.
Tyler Fredricson is the only other academy graduate to debut under Amorim, but he hasn’t been seen since he was hooked during the Red Devils embarrassing loss to Grimsby Town.
Amass’ supposed “struggles” might be in reference to Wednesday being rock bottom of the Championship – largely due to their ongoing financial struggles that resulted in a points deduction.
However, the comments have left United fans baffled: “Amorim calling Amass ‘struggling’ when he just won Sheffield Wednesday’s Player of the Month? Collyer’s injured, not benched. Throwing the kids under the bus to save himself… this ain’t it, Ruben….”
“This guy is a monster!!! Toby Collyer is injured, Harry Amass won player of the month. Throwing academy products under the bus cos he doesn’t want to play Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Ugarte is crazy,” a second fumed.
And another added: “What kind of Manchester United manager says this about academy talent publicly? Plus, he’s lying – Harry Amass has been excellent at Sheffield Wednesday, recently winning their November POTM award.”
The rant seems have started around criticism of his current treatment of Mainoo – and Amorim had been talking about his potential if he was to leave on loan in January after his game time has started to dwindle.
Mainoo preferred a move to Italian giants Napoli, where United flops Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay are flourishing, when United rejected his request to go out on loan in the summer. The Italians will be at the front of the queue again next month.
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“No, I didn’t speak with him, not about that,” said Amorim. “I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but not about that subject.
“The team comes first and I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy, and I understand that every individual has their goals.
“The problem is that we are playing with two midfielders and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing him. Maybe if we play with three midfielders, Kobbie will have more minutes.
“Of course he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbie has had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone has. I understand all the interest, but I also just want to win and if he’s the right guy, I will put him. No problem.”
