Ruben Amorim appeared to take a swipe at four Manchester United academy stars during a recent press conference, with one seemingly responding on social media before deleting his post
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts during a Premier League match
Ruben Amorim took a swipe at a Manchester United loanee, who has seemingly hit back
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Manchester United loan star Harry Amass has seemingly responded to Ruben Amorim's swipe over his time at Sheffield Wednesday so far.
The defender, who joined the Championship strugglers over the summer, took to Instagram to post a story of himself holding the club's Player of the Month award. He was voted as the winner just last month and handed the award last week.
The 18-year-old promptly deleting the post from his story, but the Manchester Evening News can confirm it was seen on his account.
Amass has impressed in his time with the Owls, who are facing relegation after entering administration with ownership troubles plaguing the club.
Despite that, Amorim seemed to suggest that Amass was struggling, along with several other Man United academy stars who are on loan, when responding to a question about Kobbie Mainoo's lack of minutes.
He said: "He (Toby 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!"
Those comments have left some fans frustrated, with plenty of valid reasons given over each individual player that the United boss mentioned.
Amass has been a standout full-back for a side who are in clear trouble, making his performances all the more impressive, rather than the opposite.
Toby Collyer has, admittedly, struggled, but those have often been down to the injury troubles he has faced while on loan at West Brom, rather than his performance levels.
As for Chido Obi, his time to develop is still coming in the academy side as he looks to build a career for himself, while the omission of Mainoo on a regular basis has left fans baffled.
They let their feelings known when cheering the academy graduate on the pitch when he was substituted on against Wolves, clearly showing where their allegiances lie.
Mainoo continues to be linked with a transfer exit in the January transfer window, as the possibility of a loan move floats around, leaving some fans concerned over the commitment to the academy.
The latest comments from Amorim won't have helped that, not least as a few were wide of the mark, especially in the case of Amass and his performances.
"I see a young man who is growing a lot right now," Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen said earlier this season about the youngster. “I see a young man who, mentally, is going to be stronger and stronger.
“I also see a young man who values the defensive stuff as much as the offensive stuff. This is what he has to do when, one day, he goes back again and wants to take the next level."
It remains to be seen whether he will stay at Sheffield Wednesday for the full season, or whether a recall could be in order to get him a move elsewhere, but his season has been one full of impressive performances instead of struggles.