“He needs to answer to that” – Amorim discusses Mainoo T-shirt & two other controversial Man Utd episodes | OneFootball

After a week marred by controversy, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim commented on every episode during his press conference on Friday.

The Red Devils are preparing to travel to Birmingham, where a tough clash against Aston Villa awaits them.

The manager confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain out of action, while Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui have joined their respective national teams for the African Cup of Nations.

Moreover, United will be without Casemiro, who will be serving a one-match ban. With the Brazilian ruled out, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are vying for a spot alongside Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park. This would be the Englishman’s first Premier League start of the season.

Amorim was asked about the infamous act performed by Mainoo’s brother, who posed wearing a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt at Old Trafford on Monday, in reference to the player’s lack of playing time.

The manager laughed off the incident, insisting that the England international has nothing to explain, and that it won’t have any effect on his chances to start this weekend.

“[He laughs] No, was not Kobbie that wore the t-shirt, he’s not going to start because of the t-shirt and he’s not going to the bench because of the t-shirt. He will play if we feel he’s the right guys,” said the Portuguese boss during his pre-match press conference as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

“I’m used to it, I’ve been here for a year. I’m not going to do something to Kobbie because someone on his family did something. If he is the right guy, he is going to play.”

“He played really well [against Bournemouth], that is the important thing. My office is always open, nobody went there this week, so everything is normal and we are ready to go to Villa.”

Ruben Amorim addresses controversial Bruno Fernandes interview

Amorim then had to comment on another controversial incident that occurred this week, as an interview conducted by Fernandes a few weeks back emerged to light. The club captain accused the Man Utd hierarchy of only caring about the money, as they tried to offload him on two occasions.

The manager feels that Bruno doesn’t have to explain himself to him, but perhaps to the club directors targeted by his comments.

“The difference is he spoke with the club before the interview and said what he was feeling. We can avoid these things because we already know the noise. He talked with the board and I think everything is clear.

“I don’t know if it’s fair, he spoke about his feelings. He needs to answer to that, not me. He is an example, he gives everything and puts everything on the line in every training and every match, in that he is special; we need to step up to have that feeling. We need to ask him, I think he’s a big example in the group.

“He spoke his feelings. I think when I watch Bruno training and playing he is a special character, the numbers and amount of games prove he is a different player.”

Amorim talks Chido Obi & Harry Amass Instagram debacle

Finally, Amorim addressed one last episode that caused a stir at Carrington. In his previous conference, the head coach tried to justify the lack of minutes for academy products by suggesting that Chido Obi and Harry Amass aren’t ready for the big stage.

This prompted cheeky responses from the duo on their Instagram accounts, which were swiftly deleted afterwards.

Amorim thus noticed a sense of self-entitlement at the club, while urging youngster to stay at Man Utd and fight for their place at the club, rather than listening to club legends who encourage them to leave.

“I think the feeling a little bit of entitled one we have in our club, 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.

“You guys talk about players who speak against clubs because they feel entitlement, then you have legends so if you don’t play, leave because everyone is wrong. No, stay and fight, let’s overcome maybe the manager is wrong. 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. It is something in our club and the players sometimes they forget the players what it means to play for Man 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 talk to me. That is the way we solve things. We need to change as a club.”