Manchester United manager has no doubt about the captain’s commitment.
In the preview to the match against Aston Villa, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim spoke very little about the opponent. He addressed more internal club issues, such as the interviews given by Bruno Fernandes to Canal 11 and Rio Ferdinand, as well as a controversial shirt worn by Kobbie Mainoo’s brother.
Regarding the captain’s statements, in which he admitted some sadness about the way the English club’s management handled an offer from Al Hilal, Amorim preferred to defend the player. He spoke to the club beforehand. He said how he was feeling. We already know the noise, but he spoke with the management and I think everything is clear. He just talked about his feelings and he’s the one who needs to answer for that, not me. He’s an example. He gives everything and dedicates himself completely. He’s special. We need to strive and also have that feeling. He’s a great example in the group. When I see him training and playing, I realize he’s a special person. The numbers prove it, he said.
In another recent case, the brother of Kobbie Mainoo, a midfielder who hasn’t had many minutes on the pitch, wore a shirt that called for the player’s “release,” as if asking for his departure from the club. Once again, Amorim didn’t buy into it.
“His job is to play, and he’s been doing it very well. It wasn’t Kobbie who wore the jersey. He’ll play if we think he’s the right man. That’s not a problem. I’m not going to do anything to Kobbie because of someone in his family,” he stated.
Regarding Sir Alex Ferguson’s statements, in which he said he doesn’t see the club winning a Premier League title in the near future, Amorim justified that he may be “failing the club” on the field, but not off it.
“He understands football better than I do, especially English football. I think it won’t be long before we win a championship, and I don’t know who the coach will be, but I sincerely believe we will be fighting for the title in the coming years. I’m not going to back down,” he said.
Manchester United travel to London to face Aston Villa on Sunday for a Premier League match. Unai Emery’s team is currently third in the league, while United sit in sixth place.