Mainoo has been a major talking point ahead of United's Premier League meeting with Bournemouth tonight, with the 20-year-old yet to start a league match this season. That situation has drawn strong criticism from former United players, including Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Rio Ferdinand, who have all questioned how the academy graduate is being used.

United entered the weekend sitting sixth in the Premier League and had lost just one of their previous nine matches, but Amorim has accepted that performances and results have not met the club's historic standards.

"I think it's normal," Amorim said when asked about criticism from former players. "I think 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, so I take that naturally."

Scholes has been one of the strongest voices, saying earlier this week that he did not believe Amorim was "the right man" and claiming the manager did not fully understand the club. The former midfielder has been particularly frustrated by Mainoo's situation, with Ferdinand and Butt suggesting the midfielder should consider leaving to protect his career.

Amorim said he understood where those views came from. "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," he said.

On Mainoo specifically, Amorim added: "I can speak about Kobbie at every press conference. Sometimes it's harder for me to speak after the game, so it's always the same situation for me. All of them are the same."

The United manager rejected the idea that criticism from pundits makes his job harder. "No. It's not winning. I think not winning is the issue," he said.

"If I'm winning I can go to the games on a horse, arrive there, playing with just two defenders and everything will be fine.

"The problem is that me as a manager I'm not doing good enough and that is a fact also and I can accept that. So that is the only problem."

Mainoo played a key role in United's FA Cup triumph last season and went on to start for England in the Euro 2024 final, but opportunities have been limited since. Reports have suggested the midfielder could seek a loan move in January.

Asked if he would allow that, Amorim said: "First of all, I say the same thing: the team comes first.

"If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him. I'm not going to say what I'm going to say to Kobbie, but I will be really pleased if Kobbie is coming to talk to me about that.

"I just want my players happy, and I understand that every individual has their goals.

"The frustration doesn't help anybody but, again, the focus is in this game and we will see if that happens."

Whatever the result against Bournemouth, Mainoo's situation looks set to remain one of the biggest issues facing Amorim as scrutiny continues to intensify at Manchester United.

Ronwen Williams ruled out for Mamelodi Sundowns - reports