Soccer
Ruben Amorim believes there is a “feeling of entitlement” at Manchester United amid supposed dissent from younger players.
Chido Obi and Harry Amass have recently posted images on social media – both since deleted – highlighting achievements away from Old Trafford.
That came on the back of Amorim suggesting the pair are not doing well enough to justify being in the first-team picture at United.
Meanwhile, academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo’s half-brother wore a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ T-shirt at Old Trafford ahead of Monday’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Asked at Friday’s pre-match press conference specifically about Chido and Amass, Amorim said: “I think it is the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club.
“Sometimes strong words aren’t bad words. Sometimes difficult moments aren’t a bad thing for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation.
“We are not helping. That is why [the media] talk about a lot of players; nowadays, they speak and go against the club because they feel entitlement.
“Sometimes I am the first to say that I am failing this club on the pitch, that I have that feeling we are not performing the way we should.
“But outside the pitch, I guarantee you I am not failing this club. I think it is something in our club. The players sometimes forget what it means to play for Manchester United.
“We as a club sometimes forget who we are and that is the feeling I have. I understand everything.
“It is the environment of the players, the kids – they feel free to reply to the manager with a picture. The door to my office is open.
“Nobody is coming to talk to me and that is the way we can solve things, so I think we need to change as a club.”
Checking in at Carrington pic.twitter.com/R2z2ss4QCb
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 19, 2025
Mainoo has struggled to get much of a look-in under Amorim, with all 11 of the youngster’s Premier League appearances this season coming from the substitutes’ bench.
A number of former United players, including Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, have questioned whether Mainoo would be better off elsewhere to further his career.
However, Amorim insists it is down to the players not featuring to prove they deserve more regular action.
Asked about Mainoo’s brother’s shirt antics this week, Amorim replied: “It was not Kobbie that wore the T-shirt.
“He is not going to start because of the T-shirt or go to the bench because of it. He is going to play if he is the right player to play.
“I am not going to do something to Kobbie because someone in his family is doing something.
“We have legends of the club saying if you don’t play, leave, because everyone is wrong. No, let’s stay, let’s fight, let’s overcome.”
How the Premier League table has changed weekly so far this season… pic.twitter.com/sUmSrMxJ9x
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 19, 2025
Amorim was speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, who are seven points better off than United in third place.
United have won their last two away league matches, but only Manchester City (46) have won more home Premier League points in 2025 than Unai Emery’s side (40).
“They have a manager with a lot of experience,” Amorim said. “You can see when you watch Villa that it’s a very mature team.
“[Emery] doesn’t panic when they’re losing and he doesn’t feel overwhelmed when winning. He can control the emotion.
“I think they are a very strong team. If they are going to fight until the end [for the title], I don’t know, but they are capable of that.”
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