Ruben Amorim issues response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim five Man United stars are ‘not good enough or overpaid’

Ruben Amorim has challenged his players to prove Sir Jim Ratcliffe wrong over comments from the Manchester United co-owner that some of them are overpaid and not good enough.

Ratcliffe made the outspoken remarks in a round of interviews on Monday in which he singled out Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Antony and Andre Onana.

Amorim admitted that the same could be said of himself and the rest of the squad, and urged them to prove a point to the Ineos billionaire in Thursday night’s Europa League last 16 second leg against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.

He said: ‘I think if we are being honest in this moment, everybody – me, all the players – we are under-performing this season. So we can always change that, and I include myself in that part of the under-performing.

‘You are talking about players like Casemiro, for example, that won everything and we know these kind of players can play so much better. That is the focus.

‘He was honest on that. The focus is to change his mind and change all the people’s minds.

Ruben Amorim has challenged his Man United players to prove Sir Jim Ratcliffe wrong

Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were among the players name checked by Ratcliffe this week

Ratcliffe claimed some were ‘overpaid’ and ‘not good enough’ as he noted fees the Red Devils must pay

‘I think it’s the right way to do it if you are a top player at this club, even me. A lot of people say I am not good enough for the club.

‘My feeling is that you can change that with results. In training, I feel that they want this really bad, especially for tomorrow.’

Asked if the players have come to him about the issue, he added: ‘No, I’ve had nothing.’

Ratcliffe also praised Amorim for putting him in his place in no uncertain terms if he tried to tell the head coach where he is going wrong.

Amorim added: ‘It’s been really good since day one. I think we are really blunt and honest with each other.

‘He’s a little bit of a character, we are quite similar in that. I always felt the support of the board and especially Sir Jim. I cannot tell you the conversations but they are simple, clear and honest conversations.’

United and Sociedad are level at 1-1 from last week’s first leg in San Sebastian as Amorim’s side look to keep their season alive.

‘It is not going to change a lot the idea for next season, but it can give us more energy to finish this season in a different way,’ he said.

Mason Mount returned to training on Wednesday after a 19-match absence, but Amorim said he won’t be ready to face Sociedad.