Amorim condemns entitlement at Manchester United amid Mainoo row

Manchester United's manager Ruben Amorim has challenged the club's culture, saying some players react with entitlement rather than resilience. He urges the squad to use criticism and tough moments as motivation to prove him right.

The issue centers on Kobbie Mainoo, whose half-brother wore a 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' T-shirt in protest over the midfielder's absence from the starting lineup, sparking debate among fans and pundits.

Younger players Harry Amass and Chido Obi posted celebratory photos after Amorim suggested they were not meeting expectations; the posts were later removed.

Club legends Rio Ferdinand, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes have publicly suggested Mainoo should consider leaving, but Amorim disagrees, aligning with Roy Keane's view that Mainoo should fight for his place.

“There is a sense of entitlement in our club,” Amorim said at a Friday news conference. “Difficult moments aren’t a bad thing for the players. We don’t always need praise, and we shouldn’t help nurture entitlement by celebrating every action.”

He added that some players forget what it means to represent Manchester United and warned against turning to social media as a substitute for dialogue. He noted he has not been contacted by Mainoo about the incident, and that selection will be based on merit, not a public dispute.

United are currently missing Casemiro due to suspension, with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt injured, and Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Amorim stressed that Mainoo’s game time will depend on his form and suitability, not the T‑shirt controversy.

Bruno Fernandes under the spotlight

Alongside the youth issue, Amorim addressed Bruno Fernandes’ outspoken interview with the Portuguese federation, where he spoke about feeling hurt by United’s perceived willingness to sell him and suggested some teammates don’t value or defend the club as passionately as he does. Fernandes will need to explain his position, but Amorim called him a powerful example, always giving his best in training and matches.

Earlier this year, Sir Alex Ferguson warned that it could take several years for United to win a Premier League title again, underscoring how difficult it is to end a long drought.

Despite a mixed season across the league, Amorim remains hopeful that Manchester United can challenge for major trophies in the coming years.

Looking ahead

The manager will take charge of the next game with a focus on balancing discipline with development, while navigating a packed schedule ahead of both domestic and international commitments.

Expert view: A veteran football analyst notes that Amorim’s approach aims to restore standards and resilience within the squad, a crucial step for a club of United’s size. The strategy could shape the club’s culture in the years ahead.

Short summary: Amorim’s message centers on ending entitlement and turning criticism into performance. He defended Mainoo’s prospects on merit and praised Fernandes as a leadership example, amid injuries and AFCON departures. The club remains optimistic about returning to title contention in the near future.

Key insight: Restoring discipline and accountable leadership is essential for Manchester United’s progress, especially when youth development, veteran leadership, and on‑field results must align. Source: BBC Sport

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