Ruben Amorim hits back at former Man United stars' criticism of Kobbie Mainoo's lack of minutes: 'Sometimes they don't have all the information'

Ruben Amorim has accepted criticism from former Manchester United players and pundits because he is still under-achieving at Old Trafford, and claimed that he would get away with riding to games ‘on a horse’ if the team were winning.

Amorim has come under fire from Rio Ferdinand , Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt in recent days over his handling of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo , who will again look to leave United on loan when the January transfer window opens.

The United boss insists the 20-year-old has not taken advantage of his opportunities, and issued a sobering assessment of the club’s other academy stars such as Toby Collyer, Chido Obi and Harry Amass.

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

‘Sometimes they don't have all the information and they see Manchester United with the standards that they lived here, always winning. So it's hard for them to see their club in this situation,’ said Amorim ahead of Monday night's clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

‘I take that naturally. It's a fact that me as a manager of Manchester United, I think we are underachieving. We should have more points, especially 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 problem is that me, as a manager, I'm not doing good enough and I can accept that. So that is the only problem. Not winning is the issue.

‘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.’