Ruben Amorim has sparked debate at Man United after questioning the club’s academy players. He questioned whether some young talents are ready for first-team football and named three players who have not met his standards this season. His comments came while explaining why Kobbie Mainoo has been kept on the edge of his plans, with the midfielder now thinking about a loan move away from Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim Man United tension grows as academy tradition meets new standards
Manchester United’s academy is a major part of the club’s history. Famous names like Paul Scholes and Gary Neville came through the system, while Marcus Rashford is a recent success story. Because of this, fans often want to believe in young players, especially when the team is struggling. Amorim arrived with a different mindset shaped by his time at Sporting Lisbon, where results always came first. United’s season has been mixed so far, with points dropped and performances questioned. As pressure grows, attention has turned to Mainoo and why he has not become a regular starter.
Man United’s stance is clear as young players fail to convince manager Ruben Amorim
Amorim made it clear that coming from the academy does not guarantee a place in his team. When asked about Mainoo, he pointed to other academy players to show that selection must be based on form, not background.
Midfielder Toby Collyer had a strong spell last season and was once seen as a possible replacement for Casemiro. Now on loan at West Brom, he has started only three games in the Championship. Left-back Harry Amass is at Sheffield Wednesday. A club fighting problems on and off the pitch, and his progress has slowed. Striker Chido Obi remains highly rated but has not secured a regular starting role at the under-21 level.
“He played for Manchester United, and he’s from the academy,” Amorim said. “He went to West Brom, and he’s not playing. Sometimes it has nothing to do with being from the academy.”
Amorim explained that the same thinking applies to Mainoo. He admitted that the young midfielder’s future is unclear and depends on how the season develops. Tactics also play a part; United are using a system with two central midfielders, which Amorim feels does not suit Mainoo fully. He said that if the team used three midfielders, Mainoo might get more chances, but the team’s needs must always come first.
Fan & Media Reaction
The reaction has been strong; many fans say Amorim has blamed young players, and “protect the kids” is trending on fan pages and X. Critics say his comments show poor man management and remind them of past mistakes at Man United. Some fans fear Mainoo could leave just like McTominay did. Others support Amorim and say he is only telling hard truths about standards and readiness. Media headlines have added fuel to the fire and turned this into another major issue in a season full of anger pressure and division
Impact
Amorim’s comments increase the chance of Mainoo leaving on loan in January. Man United blocked such a move in the summer, but interest from clubs like Napoli remains strong. The situation also raises bigger questions about the role of the academy under Amorim. While the manager accepts United are underachieving, he believes lowering standards would only make things worse. His approach suggests that young players will only play when they are fully ready, not because of pressure from fans or history.
Author’s Opinion
As featured on ManUNews.com
