Manager says protest won’t impact decision to start or bench Mainoo; Amorim warns against feeling of “entitlement” around the club
Ruben Amorim has played down the protest staged in defence of Kobbie Mainoo by the player’s brother last week.
Jordan Mainoo-Hames was seen at Old Trafford during United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth wearing a t-shirt reading “free Kobbie Mainoo,” a response to the young player’s limited game time this season.
Mainoo came on just after the hour mark to loud cheers from the Old Trafford faithful and could start for United against Aston Villa this weekend, with Casemiro suspended and Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo having departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Asked whether the t-shirt incident would affect his selection, Amorim was unequivocal.
“He isn’t going to start because of the t-shirt and he isn’t going to be on the bench because of the t-shirt,” Amorim said. “If he is the right guy to play, he is going to play.
“It was not Kobbie who wore the t-shirt. That is not an issue. I am not going to do something to Kobbie because of someone in his family.”
United’s manager also said there was a feeling of “entitlement” around the club, and that everyone needs to fight it because it is hindering success.
This comes after Amorim was criticised for comments he made regarding youngsters Harry Amass and Chido-Obi Martin. The United coach had been pressed on why he was not playing Mainoo or any other academy players, and he responded by saying he did not need to play them if he did not feel it was right, pointing to Amass and Martin as examples of academy players who were not performing at expected levels on loan and in the U-21s respectively.
“I think the feeling is a little bit of entitled one we have in our club,” said Amorim. “Sometimes strong words is not bad words. Difficult moments are not bad for the kids. We don’t need always to be accolades for every situation.
“I have the feeling we need to fight against this feeling. I’m the first one to say I’m failing. Outside the pitch I guarantee I’m not failing this club.
“We forget the players what it means to play for Manchester United, we as a club forget sometimes who we are. It’s the environment, the kids feel entitled and free to respond to the manager with a picture.
“My office is open but nobody is coming to me. We need to change as a club. I didn’t say anything wrong, I spoke about how the luck of playing for United. Sometimes you play for United and see different realities and you understand football can be so different. That was my point.”
