Ruben Amorim fired a dig at Manchester United's academy prospects as Manchester Evening News now takes a look at how they are all faring out on loan
Head Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on December 12, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Ruben Amorim delivered a brutal verdict on Manchester United's youngsters(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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Ruben Amorim's brutal assessment of Manchester United's academy players has not gone down well.
The United head coach has faced criticism in recent months for failing to give sufficient opportunities to homegrown talent during his gruelling 13-month spell at Old Trafford, including fan favourite Kobbie Mainoo, aged 20, who is struggling for game time this campaign.
Amorim’s given just three youngsters their United debuts - Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass and Chido Obi - and has now suggested that two of those three, alongside Toby Collyer, who made his bow under Erik ten Hag, were promoted to the senior squad prematurely.
Amorim said: "He (Collyer) played (for United). 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 is not always a starter in under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager!"
His remarks have sparked anger among United fans, who feel their manager has thrown young players under the bus. Here, the Manchester Evening News now examines how the 14 youngsters United currently have out on loan are performing so far this season.
Ethan Ennis - Fleetwood Town
Ethan Ennis spent the second half of the previous season with Doncaster Rovers, who secured promotion. The 21-year-old right-winger is currently on a season-long loan at Fleetwood and has already made 20 appearances. His positive spell in League Two has seen him contribute four goals and two assists.
Dan Gore - Rotherham United
Midfielder Dan Gore suffered an injury shortly after joining Rotherham last January but left a strong impression in the time he was available, leading to his re-signing for this season. The 21-year-old has been a key figure for Rotherham in midfield, featuring in 26 matches across all competitions for the League One side and emerging as one of their standout players.
Harry Amass - Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday's Harry Amass (left) and Derby County's Joe Ward battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield. Picture date: Monday December 15, 2025.
Sheffield Wednesday's Harry Amass (left) was namedropped by Ruben Amorim
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Left-sided defender Harry Amass has been a consistent presence since joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan this season. Amorim was likely referencing Wednesday's off-field troubles, with the club having been hit with a 12-point deduction, rather than Amass' own performances during his controversial press conference.
Amass has made 16 appearances in the Championship and netted his first senior goal against Southampton. Sheffield Wednesday are keen to extend the 18-year-old left-back's loan until the end of the season, suggesting they are pleased with his performance thus far.
Elyh Harrison - Shrewsbury Town
After missing the first two matches of the League Two season due to a minor injury, Elyh Harrison played in the next four games for Shrewsbury Town before joining England's Under-20s in September. However, since his absence in September, another young goalkeeper has come into the side and earned first-choice status over the 19-year-old Harrison.
Joe Hugill - Barnet
Joe Hugill began the season as Barnet's starting striker in League Two but an injury disrupted his campaign and he didn't return to action until earlier this month. The 22-year-old came on as a substitute against Bristol Rovers and played an additional seven minutes in the loss to Chesterfield.
Sonny Aljofree - Notts County
Centre-back Sonny Aljofree started Notts County's first eight matches of the season and even scored a goal but he lost his place in the starting line-up towards the end of September. Since then, the 20-year-old has been largely absent from the matchday squad.
Toby Collyer - West Brom
West Bromwich Albion's Toby Collyer receives treatment for an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns,
Toby Collyer's injuries have hampered his progress
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Meanwhile, Toby Collyer is back at United receiving treatment for an injury after making 12 appearances while on loan at West Bromwich Albion. The 21-year-old central midfielder featured in each of West Brom's first nine matches of the season but has since been in and out of the side due to a muscular problem.
Louis Jackson - Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors are midtable in the National League. Louis Jackson started in their first two games of the season but he has struggled to make the XI since. The centre-back, 20, has been absent from their last eight matchday squads.
Enzo Kana-Biyik - Lausanne-Sport
Enzo Kana-Biyik, 18, scored his first senior goal in October when he salvaged a point for Lausanne in a derby and was called up to France's Under-20 squad for the November international break. The centre-forward has made 13 appearances for the Swiss side, primarily coming off the bench.
Radek Vitek - Bristol City
Bristol City's goalkeeper Radek Vitek during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Bristol City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on December 13, 2025 in Coventry, England.
Radek Vitek is among the youngsters enjoying a more fruitful loan move
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Radek Vitek has started every league game for Bristol City in the Championship, keeping seven clean sheets. The 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper has impressed in goal, prompting Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber to tell the Bristol Post: "He's young, and he looks like an outstanding, experienced Championship goalkeeper."
Jack Moorhouse - Leyton Orient
Jack Moorhouse has made 18 appearances for League One side Leyton Orient but just five of those have been league starts. Despite this, the 20-year-old midfielder has shown his potential when brought on as a substitute.
Habeeb Ogunneye - Newport County
Habeeb Ogunneye's role at Newport County has been affected by the recent departure of Dave Hughes, who previously coached Ogunneye in United's academy. After a strong start to the season, during which the 20-year-old right-back played 21 matches and scored once, he has been absent from the last two matchday squads.
Ethan Wheatley - Northampton Town
Ethan Wheatley, 19, needed to leave on loan after outgrowing academy football. The young striker has made 19 appearances in League One for Northampton and has found the back of the net three times, while also recording three assists in all competitions.
Ethan Williams - Falkirk
Ethan Williams is making a name for himself in Scotland. The 21-year-old winger has contributed one goal and three assists in 14 Scottish Premiership appearances for Falkirk, who are currently sitting seventh in the league table. He has not been included in the last four matchday squads, however.