Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has hit out at recent backlash regarding the club's academy
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has hit out at the club's academy.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has hit out at the club's academy.
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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has hit back at suggestions he's reluctant to use to club's academy talents by highlighting several stars' recent struggles. The Portuguese head coach name-dropped Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Chido Obi, all of whom have been given an opportunity to impress under his leadership.
Mainoo has gone from starting for England in the European Championship final and playing a key role in United's starting XI under Erik ten Hag to the wilderness under Amorim. The England international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and asked to leave the club in the summer.
The 20-year-old has not been able to agree a new contract with United and is being linked with a loan move away from the club in January.
Amorim was asked what a loan move for Mainoo would mean for his gametime before speaking about the other three academy talents.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Bournemouth, Amorim suggested Amass, Chido and Collyer had been promoted to the first team squad too early.
Amorim said: "He (Collyer) played (for the United 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.
"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!"
West Bromwich Albion's Toby Collyer receives treatment for an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns
Toby Collyer has struggled on loan at West Bromwich Albion
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Midfielder Collyer made his debut for United under Ten Hag and actually started ahead of Casemiro under Amorim in the 2-0 Europa League win at Steaua Bucharest in January, but went on loan to West Brom in the summer.
Obi and Amass were given their debuts by Amorim earlier this year, though the former has spent the majority of his time with the Under-21s, while Amass is on loan with Sheffield Wednesday.
It's understood that Amorim's comments regarding Amass referred to Wednesday's position at the foot of the table and recent points deduction, rather than a reflection of the United loanee's performances, having started all 15 of the games he's been available for.
However, Obi, who made eight appearances for United last season, has five goals in ten U21s games this season and has not scored for the second string since October, with a loan move potentially in the offing come January.