Amorim issues response to Ratcliffe's claim five Man United stars are 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.

‘If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn't buy, we're buying Antony, we're buying Casemiro, we're buying Onana, we're buying Hojlund, we're buying Sancho,’ said Ratcliffe in reference to the transfer fees outstanding on the players.

‘These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we've inherited those things and have to sort that out. For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we're paying £17m to buy him in the summer.’

Amorim was asked about the comments at his press conference for Thursday’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 underperforming this season. So we can always change that, and I include myself in that part of the underperforming.

‘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.

‘I think it’s the right way to do it, if you are a top player playing in 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, nothing. I've had nothing. I really enjoyed training today.’

Ratcliffe also praised Amorim’s work at United even though the team are still in 14th place in the Premier League – the same position they were when he replaced Erik ten Hag in November.

Amorim spoke positively about his relationship with the Ineos chief, saying: ‘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 conversations, clear conversations and honest conversations.’