There was much to discuss for Ruben Amorim ahead of his side's trip to Villa Park to take on the league's most in-form team.
From his captain's comments to 'Free Kobbie Mainoo', there wasn't a shortage of talking points for the United boss.
Still no De Ligt and Maguire. United will also be without Casemiro who is suspended as well as their African trio of Mazraoui, Mbeumo and Amad who are at the AFCON.
On Mainoo's brother wearing the 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' t-shirt, Amorim said that it wasn't Mainoo himself who wore it and because of that, he won't punish the United player. He reiterated once more that Mainoo will get game time "if he's the right guy."
Amorim also mentioned how Mainoo "played really well" during Monday's draw with Bournemouth. That he believes, is the most important thing. He also says that his office is always open yet received no guests this week.
In terms of our opponents, the United boss says that Villa have a manager with a lot of experience and that you can see that in his team, they are very mature. "They don't panic when they're losing."
United have conceded a total of 26 goals this season which is amongst the most in the top 10. Amorim says that his side could've avoided all four goals against Bournemouth. "We have to put everything on the line when we’re defending, and sometimes we’re not doing that."
When it comes to captain Bruno Fernandes' comments in recent interviews, his manager says that the skipper "spoke with the club before the interview" and just said what he was feeling. He added that he thinks all is clear as Bruno "talked with the board."
About his fellow Portuguese, the MUFC manager said that Bruno himself needs to answer for what he said "not me." He did add though, that the skipper is an example as he gives everything and that he is "special" because of that.
Amorim not so long ago had some strong comments about United academy products Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Toby Collyer in which he mentioned how they weren't performing too well. Obi and Amass took to Instagram to post their success with Obi showing him celebrating a goal and Amass with his Sheffield Wednesday player of the month award.
"You don't need accolades in every situation."
On this, the manager said that he feels that there is a bit of "entitlement" at Man Utd. However, believes that these harsh words may not be "bad for the kids." He also wants those at United to "fight against this feeling" of entitlement, one that would suggest you have to play no matter what. Amorim said that "so if you don't play, leave because everyone is wrong. No, stay and fight."
Final Thoughts
At this point, I feel the problem is not just the fact that Mainoo is a young player that people feel sort of disappointed with his lack of minutes, nor is it even his quality, but the fact that for someone like me, I don't think the midfield has been that good which means that Mainoo or even Ugarte, who seems to have become the forgotten man, should be given a run out.
The message that sends that you can play shit and still start in the next match, is not a good one. The least you could do is try them. And not for a few minutes here and there but to start them or at least, much like the Bournemouth game (although I think that was more out of necessity due to Casemiro's booking), give them a solid 30 minutes. This will give us more of an idea whether they are good enough or whether Amorim is right not to pick them.
Consistency is key.
It's good in a way that the manager isn't going to punish Mainoo because it was his half-brother who wore the shirt instead of the midfielder himself, it's not as if he hasn't been punished (in a way) with those lack of minutes.
I also believe that people who are usually quite calm and aren't quick to anger, do have a limit to a point where if you push them too far, they will do things out of character.
That's what I believe has happened here. Some reports suggest Mainoo knew about this t-shirt. There was also mentions of him liking Instagram stories that had that image of his half-brother wearing the t-shirt. If true, then it really is unprofessional. And I don't condone it as it is unacceptable.
But this is what I mean of pushing one who's usually calm, over the edge. Mainoo, with the way he plays and his overall demeanour, doesn't seem to be a person who is an arse. One can also not blame him for feeling frustrated. I don't understand how the manager can say he's training well and could start games, played well when he came on against Bournemouth only to not pick him. The academy graduate also seems to come on for Casemiro instead of Bruno whom Amorim says is the player Mainoo is competing with.
It makes no sense.
When it comes to the academy graduates and their reactions to what Amorim said as well as his comments in general, I do actually agree with him when he says that harsh words such as those, can be a motivator for these players to prove him wrong.
That is how they should look at it.
But when you look at their performances particularly Amass, you would see that they are playing well. For a teenager to win player of the month for a Championship side is a big deal.
Amorim saying what he said can be seen as a manager who's out of touch with these players or indeed, the academy overall. You wouldn't blame people for thinking this way because of the treatment of Mainoo or the lack of minutes for youngsters in general.
I said all I need to regarding the Bruno interviews. I don't necessarily disagree with Amorim but I still believe these comments and their timing was unnecessary.
It really is all on the club especially if Bruno had spoken to them prior to these interviews. What he told them might be different to what came out in the interviews, although I don't think that that is the case, but whether they knew the contents of it or not, I don't think something like this should go unpunished.
Amorim speaks about Bruno being an example. What type of example does this set for others when their captain is coming out and saying things like 'the club wanted me to go' and then go against that and say 'no, we [the club] need you.'
Things like 'free Kobbie Mainoo' will then happen even more if the skipper, best player, and one of the highest paid speaks about his employer in this manner as well as contradict himself.
To me, it doesn't set a good example. It paves the way for others to do things of this manner and should they be punished, they will point out to Bruno not receiving any penalties for his comments.
And they'd be right.
Maybe Amorim saying that he isn't going to punish Mainoo for his half-brother wearing that t-shirt is a way of saying that if he isn't going to punish him, then he isn't going to punish Bruno either for his comments, which were actually said by the skipper unlike the Mainoo incident which involved his half-brother instead.
Ruben Amorim | Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images via Manchester Evening News