Parker questions Amorim: Menu lacks due playing time and respect, they have personal issues

Manchester United youngster Menu has not played a full game in the Premier League this season and is only used as a rotation player. Former Manchester United star Paul Parker firmly believes there are personal issues between coach Amorim and Menu.

■ Parker expressed confusion about Amorim’s employment and believed that there must be personal factors involved.

Parker said: "We have to ask why Menu was not assigned to the starting midfield. According to my observation, this must be a personal matter. The truth will be revealed sooner or later, either he does not like Menu himself, or he does not like the type of player he is. Otherwise it all makes no sense."

Despite Menu's rapid growth at Manchester United, there are rumors that the club may sell him in order to meet the requirements of the Premier League's financial sustainability rules. Menu is a product of the youth training and will bring a net profit if sold. But Manchester United is known for its trust in local youth training, and Parker warned that selling Menu would be a serious mistake.

Parker said: "If Manchester United lets Menu leave, it will cause a big problem. He is a local kid. And not only that, but more importantly, what he has achieved in a short period of time, he has not received the time and respect he deserves."

Previously, Amorim said when asked why Menu was used less, he said that he still looked forward to the further growth of the youngster.

Amorim said: "I believe in Menu very much, but some of you think he has matured. In fact, he can get better and there is still a lot of room for improvement."

Menu is still competing with Ugarte and others for playing opportunities, and Ugarte also has limited appearances under Amorim. Manchester United had previously planned to introduce a defensive midfielder at position 6 and had expressed interest in Carlos Baleba. Amorim insists on his own tactical system, which requires the midfielder to have ample running ability. This is also considered to be one of the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance of Manchester United's midfielder at the beginning of the season.

Menu came from Manchester United's youth training system. He made his first team debut during Ten Hag's coaching period and quickly emerged. He scored in the FA Cup final at the end of his debut season, helping Manchester United beat Manchester City at Wembley. Since then, he also competed with the England team in the 2024 European Cup and reached the final.