Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has responded to claims he’s hesitant to utilise the club’s academy prospects by pointing to several youngsters’ recent difficulties. The Portuguese tactician specifically mentioned Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Chido Obi, all of whom have been afforded chances to shine under his stewardship.
Mainoo has plummeted from featuring for England in the European Championship final and being a crucial component of United’s first XI under Erik ten Hag to the sidelines under Amorim. The England midfielder has slipped down the hierarchy at Old Trafford and has requested to depart the club in the summer. He has been unable to reach agreement on fresh terms with United and is being touted for a temporary move away in January.
Amorim was questioned about what a loan departure for Mainoo would signify for his playing time before discussing the other three academy prospects.
Speaking during his pre-match press briefing ahead of the encounter with Bournemouth, Amorim implied that Amass, Chido and Collyer had been elevated to the senior squad prematurely.
He said: “He (Collyer) played (for the United first team). 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 (Obi) is not always a starter in the under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager.”
Collyer earned his United debut under Ten Hag and was surprisingly selected ahead of Casemiro for the Europa League triumph over Steaua Bucharest in January, before securing a summer loan move to West Brom.
Both Obi and Amass were handed their first-team bows by Amorim earlier this year, though the former has predominantly featured with the Under-21s, whilst Amass is currently on loan with Sheffield Wednesday.
It’s been suggested that Amorim’s remarks about Amass related to Wednesday’s position at the bottom of the table and their recent points deduction, rather than any criticism of the United loanee’s individual displays.
Meanwhile, Obi, who clocked up eight senior appearances for United last season, has scored five times in 10 games for the under-21s but hasn’t found the back of the net since October, with a potential January loan switch being considered.