Manchester United: Amorim criticises ‘feeling of entitlement’ within club

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has hit out at what he called “a feeling of entitlement” within the club, alleging that some players do not know what it means to represent the 20-time English champions.

United have been inconsistent on the pitch going into Sunday’s clash with red-hot Aston Villa, but are just two points outside the top four.

Yet there has been discord between Amorim and some of the club’s young players.

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wore a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt during United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday amid the England international’s continued absence from the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Harry Amass, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and Chido Obi each published social media posts pointing to their achievements after Amorim suggested the pair have been struggling.

Amorim: Manchester United players have entitlement issues

While the likes of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have advised Mainoo to leave the club, Amorim believes he should fight for this place in the side, stressing the value of young players facing and overcoming adversity.

“I think it is a little bit the feeling of entitlement we have in our club,” Amorim told his pre-match media conference.

“Sometimes, strong words is not bad words. Sometimes, difficult moments are not bad things for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation. That’s why you guys talk about a lot of players nowadays, that they speak, they go against the clubs and everything happens because they feel entitlement.

“Then you have legends of the club who say if you don’t play, leave, because everyone is wrong. No, let’s think about… let’s stay, let’s fight, let’s overcome, maybe the manager is wrong. So, I have that feeling all the time that we need to fight against this feeling.

“Sometimes, I’m the first one to say I’m failing this club inside the pitch. I have that feeling, we are not performing the way we should be. But outside the pitch, I guarantee I am not failing this club.

“So, I think it’s something in our club. We talk about 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’s the environment, it’s the moment of the players, the kids, they feel entitled. They feel free to respond to the manager with a picture.

“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 first as a club and then everything is going to change.”

Midfielder Casemiro is suspended for the visit to Villa Park, potentially opening the door for Mainoo to feature from the start.

“It was not Kobbie who wore the t-shirt,” added Amorim. “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.”