Amorim's 'Struggling' Comment Ruffles Feathers - Is He Mistaken Or Negligent?

Amorim Hits Out At 'Struggling' Loanee Who Just Won A Player Of The Month Award

In a press conference recently Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim made the claim that 19-year-old loanee Harry Amass is struggling at Sheffield Wednesday and it has left fans of both clubs confused.

The statement came from Amorim discussing the club's approach towards youth players in the past few years and how he believes some were called up too early whilst answering questions on Kobbie Mainoo's future with the club.

Amorim stated in the presser:

"He (Collyer) played (for United). He's from the academy. He played here, He went to West Bromwich. He's not playing. He played for Manchester United. So sometimes it's not because he's from the academy or whatever.

"It's the situation, what's happened. I don't know what is going to be the future (for Mainoo). Let's see after this match.

"Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager!"

Many have come to the defence of the Portuguese manager stating the likelihood is that he's referring to the situation of Sheffield Wednesday, where Amass has been loaned to, rather than the performances of the player himself. Even with this in mind however many have argued it was a bit of an unnecessary comment regardless.

🚨⚠️ Amorim: “Toby Collyer is not playing at West Brom. Harry Amass is struggling in Championship. Chido is not always starter in the U21s”.

“I played them when people said: sack the manager. You can see I’m not worried. I want to win. If he's the right guy, I will put him in”. pic.twitter.com/oY2ag21Rnq

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2025

Has Harry Amass Struggled At Sheffield Wednesday This Season?

The main issue fans have had with the statement on the Sheffield Wednesday side is that Amass hasn't struggled at all for the club and has in fact been one of the standout players so far this Championship campaign.

In fact the fullback has been so good for the side he has just been named Wednesday's Player of the Month for November.

Admittedly the England u19 international began life in Sheffield poorly with a debut own goal in a defeat to Bristol City but since then he has turned it around massively, averaging a 6.92 rating on SofaScore through the campaign.

Some notable performances have come against Southampton in which he was able to record an 8.2 rating and just last weekend against Watford in which Wednesday were seconds away from a huge away win if not for a last minute equaliser from Vivaldo Semedo.

To add to this Amass has been able to chip in offensively for the side with 2 goal contributions in the league, 1 goal and 1 assist.

However his main contribution to the side has come via his defensive ability, so far this season he is averaging 3.0 tackles per game and 6.3 ball recoveries per game. This is very high for what a fullback typically contributes defensively in the modern game.

Surely Amorim can only have meant that Harry Amass is in a struggling team in the Championship, because there’s no way anybody can look at his performances for Sheffield Wednesday and think that he’s doing anything but excelling.

Just ask any #SWFC fan. https://t.co/Yz9FieYV2k

— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) December 15, 2025

The Fan Reactions

Unsurprisingly Amorim's comments have rubbed both Manchester United fans and Sheffield Wednesday fans the wrong way for different reasons. Both agree on the fact that the comments are outright incorrect and Amass is in fact not struggling in the Championship.

This has been the main critique from Wednesday fans and Championship fans and even got a clear message from the man himself in a since deleted Instagram story from Amass as shown below.

Harry Amass in a now deleted story on Instagram.

Reminding Ruben Amorim 👀 pic.twitter.com/xPi8DL4eDr

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) December 15, 2025

It's very clear how the comments have aggravated Championship and Wednesday fans but how has it ruffled the feathers of United supporters?

Well the main gripe than United fans have had is that they see it as an unnecessary dig at the players spoke about and the academy itself which has had a long standing tradition of producing some of the clubs greatest ever talents such as with the 'class of 92'.

The comments haven't exactly help alleviate Amorim from fan backlash as it has been a long time issue for many supporters that he doesn't utilise and aid in the development of the clubs young players as much as he should. In fact it has alienated fans even more proving, in their eyes, that Amorim seems to have a problem with Carrington for some unknown reason.

amorim's had a problem with rashford, mainoo, amass and obi. is it a carrington thing? pic.twitter.com/ozzxx7D4wB

— B (@utdbrxy) December 15, 2025

Did Amorim Actually Mean Amass Is Struggling Though?

The answer to this question in all likelihood is a very swift no. Amorim was probably just referring to Amass and Sheffield United struggling as they currently sit rock bottom of the Championship table as opposed to Amass' individual performances.

Sheffield Wednesday not won in 13 games and not won at home all season
Step forward derby county...

— KyleDcfc04 (@kadcfcoutlookc1) December 15, 2025

It is most likely just a case of not conveying his message well but when there is a stockpile of evidence that Amorim and youth players don't tend to be a great mix it goes down even worse.

To add to this fans are already alienated from him so it's hardly surprising that fans have misunderstood. I mean it wasn't phrased in a way that shows support to any of the young players so there is still a possibility Amorim just doesn't keep up with the progress of his young loanees.

It's one to keep an eye on though as in the coming days this will most likely be followed up on and a lot of questions will be answered as to whether the Man United boss is really that negligent but for now some questions can be answered.

Was Amorim's message most likely misunderstood? Yes, Is Harry Amass struggling in the Championship this season? Absolutely not, in fact he's thriving despite his sides situation.