Troublesome young talents at MU: The fault isn't solely on the players

23/12/2025 11:03:00 GoalGuru

Players nurtured by MU’s academy are facing skepticism regarding their attitude and professionalism. But is the fault entirely theirs?

Recent remarks from Ruben Amorim reveal he is confronting a familiar issue at MU: how young players deal with criticism and pressure.

The attitude dilemma in contemporary football

This is not merely about certain individuals, but reflects a broader trend in modern football where very young players quickly become famous, earn high wages, and face intense scrutiny from both media and social platforms.

Over the past decade, Premier League clubs have heavily invested in youth academies. While success has been achieved, the downside is that as transfer fees and salaries rise sharply, young players carry expectations far beyond their years. They are expected not only to perform well but also to behave "appropriately" as professional athletes in all situations.

The cases of Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Amass, and Chido Obi demonstrate the fragile boundary between immaturity and personal accountability. Although only 20, Mainoo is already a team mainstay and no longer viewed as a "talent to be shielded at all costs." Amorim rightly argues that players in such roles must proactively engage with the coach rather than respond via social media or symbolic actions from family members. For Amass and Obi, deleting controversial posts shows they have recognized their mistakes, but it also raises the question: why do such errors keep happening?

In reality, this issue has appeared repeatedly throughout MU’s history. Two decades ago, debates about young players’ lifestyles and attitudes erupted following serious off-field incidents. At that time, comparisons were made with the "Class of ’92," often with regret. However, such comparisons are somewhat unfair because the environment in which today’s youth develop is completely different. The fundamental issue is not only what they did wrong but the ecosystem they were placed in from the outset.

Kobie Mainoo is encountering many challenges at MU

The club environment’s responsibility

Blaming only young players is a narrow viewpoint. MU in recent years (including Amorim’s tenure) has not been a stable environment. Over the past year, the club has undergone constant fluctuations in performance, pressure for results, and a tense internal atmosphere. This directly impacts young players who need clear and consistent guidance.

Amorim himself is an emotional coach. He can inspire but also easily shows disappointment and hurt, both inside the dressing room and to the media. At times, his reactions after defeats have surprised and unsettled players. These moments reveal a paradox: Amorim demands calmness and maturity from young players, while he himself sometimes cannot hide his emotions.

This contrast becomes even clearer when considering his firm decisions involving senior players like Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho. Forcing them out of the club, with management’s support, shows MU is willing to sacrifice standout individuals to maintain team discipline. However, the constant shifts in approach—sometimes gentle, sometimes strict—make the environment unpredictable for young players.

Compared to the Sir Alex Ferguson era, the difference is stark. Back then, though imperfect, MU had a stable structure and a consistent philosophy for promoting youth into the first team. Today, that is nearly gone. Whether a young talent is given opportunities, makes mistakes, and receives protection depends heavily on circumstances and immediate pressures.

Looking at Manchester City, their gradual introduction of young players like Nico O'Reilly highlights the importance of a well-managed environment. It’s not that City’s youngsters are inherently "better behaved," but their surrounding system helps reduce risks from early career mistakes.

Ultimately, although Amorim believes he is applying the "necessary strictness" for the players’ long-term good, the greatest responsibility lies with the club. Whether they were poor apprentices in the past or today’s "teenage millionaires," they remain very young. The environment MU creates is the decisive factor in how they mature both on and off the field.

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