Ruben Amorim appeared to take a swipe at the club's academy stars ahead of the Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
Ruben Amorim has appeared to take a swipe at Manchester United's academy prospects.View 3 Images
Manchester United supporters have been taken aback after Ruben Amorim appeared to criticise the club's renowned academy system. The United boss has faced scrutiny for failing to give sufficient opportunities to homegrown talent during his challenging 13-month spell at Old Trafford.
Just three youngsters - Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass and Chido Obi - have made their debuts under the former Sporting CP manager, who regularly fielded academy graduates during his time at his previous club. However, Amorim has now implied that two of those three, along with Toby Collyer - who debuted under Erik ten Hag - were given first-team chances prematurely.
Obi appeared in the senior squad last season but has predominantly trained with United's under-21s this campaign, whilst Amass has been featuring regularly since joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan. Meanwhile, Collyer is currently at United, rehabilitating from injury after making four appearances while on loan with Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
Addressing the prospects of Kobbie Mainoo, United's standout academy product in recent seasons, Amorim proceeded to question the club's youth development programme. "He (Collyer) played (for United). He's from the academy. He played here," the United boss said.
"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.
Toby Collyer in action for West Bromwich Albion.(Image: Adam Fradgley, West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)View 3 Images
"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 is not always a starter in under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager!".
Amorim appeared to be referring to Wednesday's difficulties rather than Amass' individual displays. The Championship side are keen to prolong the left-back's loan arrangement through to the end of the campaign.
United supporters responded to the comments with outrage, with one writing on X: "What is Amorim trying to achieve with those quotes about Mainoo and the academy? Honestly just self sabotage at this point."
Harry Amass has impressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday so far this season.View 3 Images
Another remarked: "Slagging off our academy players to defend his stubbornness is a new low for Amorim."
A third added: "Ruben Amorim throwing the academy players under the bus, knowing full well the fundamentals of the club's history is built on the academy surely has to be the final straw for (Jason) Wilcox and INEOS. He's not the right man for the job and we must act before we lose more youth talents."
United fans are also concerned that the club's impressive streak of including a homegrown player in every matchday squad for the past 88 years (over 4,300 matches) could be jeopardised under Amorim due to his perceived lack of faith.In November, midfielder Jack Fletcher was selected for United's away game against Tottenham, ensuring the record remained unbroken.
"It's really important," Amorim told TNT Sports. "We are in a moment where if we [cut] corners to have success right away, it's the wrong thing.
"There is something special in our club which has to be bullet proof. The way we behave, the way we feel [about] the club. We are not going to stop with academy players. It doesn't matter about the result.
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"We will continue with these small details which are the foundations of our club. We have that record, we won't break that record. And Jack is ready to help us. We will show that our academy is our future. The players in our academy must be ready to help us."