Ruben Amorim Accused of Throwing Academy Players Under The Bus in Press Conference

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been accused of 'throwing academy players under the bus' after he singled out three youngsters in a much-talked-about press conference.

One of the big talking points ahead of United's Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Monday has been Kobbie Mainoo's lack of minutes.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who has not started a game since their Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town in August, has been used sparingly of late.

In fact, he has played fewer than 300 minutes across all competitions this season – a shortage of game time that has fuelled mounting speculation over a move away from Old Trafford.

Whether Mainoo stays at United beyond the January window is unclear, but Amorim's comments ahead of Monday's visit of Bournemouth suggest that the club are willing to let him leave on loan.

Mainoo could leave in January. Image credit: Getty

Asked if the midfielder had spoken to him regarding a temporary move, Amorim said: “If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him."

He added: "I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie but I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy and I understand that every individual has their goals."

Amorim spoke about Mainoo's situation on numerous occasions in the pre-match press conference and, as he justified his decision to keep him on the fringes, he mentioned three youngsters – Harry Amass, Chido Obi and Toby Collyer.

Speaking about Mainoo’s chances of playing if he left United on loan, Amorim 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."

Amorim added: "(Harry) Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido (Obi) is not always a starter in under 21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager."

Amass was named Sheffield Wednesday's Player of the Month for November. Image credit: Getty

Harry Amass, who is currently on loan at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and was recently named their Player of the Month for November, was given his first-team debut by Amorim in March this year.

Amorim has previously admitted he pushed Chido Obi into first-team football "too soon".

Toby Collyer, meanwhile, had started three times for West Brom before picking up an injury last month.

Amorim's comments have been criticised by some sections of United's fanbase.

One fan wrote: "Amorim calling Amass 'struggling' when he just won Sheffield Wednesday's Player of the Month? Collyer's injured, not benched. Throwing the kids under the bus to save himself... this ain't it, Ruben."

A second said: "Oh my god imagine being an academy player and seeing your manager saying this."

A third commented: "Yup, Sheffield Wednesday's Player of the Month for November is struggling in the Championship," and a fourth added: "Throwing academy kids under the bus is pure madness."

Ruben Amorim responds to Paul Scholes saying he isn't the right man for Man Utd

Earlier this month, Scholes claimed that Amorim didn’t understand the club before taking issue with his playing style.

“I just don’t think he’s the right man,” said Scholes. “Man United is about risk and entertainment, more than anything. Having fans on the edge of their seats, f***ing ready to go. Wingers who beat people. Shots on goal. Bits of skill. There’s nothing there. That’s from the club.”

Amorim has now responded to criticism from former players, saying it is "normal” before going on to say that his side should “have more points”.

“It's a fact that me, as a manager of Manchester United, I think we are underachieving," he said. "We should have more points, especially this season. So, I take that naturally."

Amorim added: "Sometimes they don't have all the information and see Manchester United with the standards they lived here, always winning. It's hard for them to see their club in this situation."