Ruben Amorim has acknowledged the critique from ex-Manchester United players and analysts, admitting he has yet to meet expectations at Old Trafford. He humorously noted that if his team were performing better, he could arrive at games ‘on a horse’ without any backlash.

In recent times, Amorim has faced scrutiny from Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt regarding his approach to nurturing young talent like Kobbie Mainoo. The young midfielder is anticipated to seek another loan move during the January transfer window.

The manager maintains that Mainoo hasn’t fully capitalized on his chances. He also offered a candid evaluation of other academy prospects such as Toby Collyer, Chido Obi, and Harry Amass.

“They sometimes lack complete information and compare Manchester United to the high standards from when they were here, always winning. It’s tough for them to witness the club in its current state,” Amorim remarked before Monday’s match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

“I accept this naturally. As Manchester United’s manager, it’s evident that we are not performing as expected. We should have accumulated more points, particularly this season.”

Kobbie Mainoo will again look to leave United on loan when the January transfer window opens

Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have claimed that Mainoo has to leave United for the good of his career after failing to make a Premier League start under Amorim this season 

But Amorim has insisted that Mainoo has not taken advantage of the opportunities given to him

“The issue lies with me as a manager not doing well enough, and I can accept that. The real problem is simply not winning,” he concluded.

‘If I’m winning I can go to the games on a horse, arrive there, play with just two defenders and everything will be fine.

‘At Sporting (Lisbon) there was no issue because we were winning all the time. So I understand and that’s okay.’

Napoli were Mainoo’s preference when United rejected his request to go out on loan in the summer, and the Italians will be at the front of the queue again next month.

‘No, I didn’t speak with him, not about that,’ added Amorim. ‘I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but not about that subject.

‘The team comes first and 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.

‘The problem is that we are playing with two midfielders and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing him. Maybe if we play with three midfielders, Kobbie will have more minutes.’

United have a proud tradition of players graduating to the first team from their academy, but Amorim won’t be swayed by sentiment.

‘The problem is that we are playing with two midfielders and you guys see Kobbie in a different way. Maybe if we play with three midfielders, Kobbie will have more minutes,’ Amorim said

Amorim was frank in his assessment of some of the youngsters to have played under him, including Mainoo, Chido Obi (far left), Harry Amass and Toby Collyer (second from right)

He was frank in his assessment of some of the youngsters to have played under him, including Mainoo, Chido, Amass who is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and Collyer who has returned to United for treatment on an injury after having limited playing time at West Brom.

‘Of course he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbie has had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone has,’ said Amorim.

‘I understand all the interest, but I also just want to win and if he’s the right guy, I will put him. No problem.

‘Toby went to West Bromwich and he’s not playing. He played for Manchester United. So sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever.

‘Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in the Under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager.’