Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has sparked a backlash from within the club's academy after publicly criticising young talents Harry Amass and Chido Obi-Martin. The comments, made ahead of United's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Monday night, have reportedly left staff and players 'disappointed'.
Amorim's Surprising Press Conference Critique
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on December 15, 2025, the Portuguese coach defended his use of young players like Kobbie Mainoo. However, he then turned his attention to other academy graduates. Amorim pointed out that left-back Harry Amass, currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, was 'struggling in the Championship'. He also noted that striker Chido Obi-Martin was 'not always a starter' for the United Under-21s.
'Everyone had opportunities, especially last year,' Amorim stated. 'Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in U21. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying, sack the manager.' The coach also referenced former academy midfielder Toby Collyer, now at West Bromwich Albion, suggesting his lack of game time was indicative of a wider issue.
Academy Stars' Silent Social Media Rebuttal
The remarks did not go unnoticed by the players involved. In a clear but unspoken response, both Amass and Obi-Martin posted pointed messages on their Instagram stories on Monday. Amass shared a picture of himself with his Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Month award for November, a notable achievement given his club's severe difficulties in the Championship.
Meanwhile, Obi-Martin posted a photo celebrating a goal for Manchester United's youth side. Both posts have since been deleted, but their timing was seen as a direct reaction to their manager's words. It has also been reported that other academy players, including Kobbie Mainoo, have liked social media posts critical of Amorim.
Context and Fallout at Old Trafford
The criticism has been viewed as particularly harsh given the context of each player's situation. The 18-year-old Amass has been an ever-present for Sheffield Wednesday this season, earning praise despite the club being rock bottom of the Championship following an 18-point deduction.
Obi-Martin, also 18, may have been out of the U21s starting line-up recently, but he boasts a strong record of five goals and two assists in just seven starts for the team this season. The dig at Toby Collyer also seems misplaced, as West Brom manager Ryan Mason has attributed the 21-year-old's lack of minutes this campaign mainly to injury, backing him to feature more after the winter break.
The incident creates an unwelcome distraction for United as they prepare to host Bournemouth, a match where a win could propel them into the Premier League's top five. It also raises questions about the relationship between the first-team manager and the club's famed youth setup.
