Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has said that his players can’t argue with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s criticism. Ratcliffe recently said that some Manchester United players are good enough whereas some others are overly paid.

Amorim was asked about the comments made by Ratcliffe and the Portuguese manager it is up to the players to turn the tables and prove their mettle.

The gaffer said the players want to improve their results and it is palpable in the way they have been training.

“I think if we are being honest in this moment everybody, me, all the players are underperforming this season so we can always change that,” Amorim told a news conference on Wednesday.

“So I include myself in that part of underperforming. If you are a top player and play in this football and even me — a lot of people say I am not good enough for the club — and my feeling is you can change that with results. In training, I feel they want that really bad.”

Ratcliffe said transfer fees of players like Jadon Sancho, Antony, Rasmus Højlund, André Onana, and five-time Champions League winner Casemiro will continue to be paid.

“You are talking about players like Casemiro, for example, that won everything and we know that these kinds of players can play so much better,” Amorim said. “So that is the focus. He was honest in that.

“The focus is to change his mind and to change all people’s minds.”

Amorim revealed that defenders – Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro – will miss the Europa League match against Real Sociedad on Thursday. Mason Mount has also joined training after three months but won’t play against the Spanish team. 

“Mason Mount is too soon,” Amorim said. “Leny is out. Harry Maguire cannot play this one but I hope to have him for Sunday [against Leicester]. Manu is on the squad and I think there is no one else returning.”