BREAKING NEWS:‼️ He has overstayed His welcome at Old Trafford and I can assure you that if Ruben Amorim fails to get rid of Him by January they might be seeing theirselves playing in the championship next season,” Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi Reveals the ONE bad player in Man United team that He wants Ruben Amorim to remove before it will cost Him His job
RUBEN AMORIM SHOULD GET RID OF HIM NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE 😤
—
Manchester — The pressure on Manchester United’s manager Rúben Amorim is escalating by the week, and one voice among the pundits has come out swinging. Former Chelsea and international midfield talisman John Obi Mikel has reportedly identified one player in the United squad whose continued presence at Old Trafford is doing more harm than good — a player so out of form or so misaligned with the club’s ambitions that Obi believes the only recourse is to let him go, now. If not, things could get disastrously worse, even for Amorim himself.
—
Obi’s blunt verdict: It’s not just one or two, but “nowhere good enough”
Though Mikel Obi hasn’t singled out a specific name in all his public comments, he has been extremely vocal about certain individuals. In several interviews and on his podcast “The Obi One,” he’s lamented the state of many United players — saying they are “nowhere near good enough to be playing for Manchester United.”
In one particularly scathing moment, Obi named Harry Maguire and Casemiro among the players he believes are dragging the team down. He emphasized that it’s not Amorim’s fault that the squad isn’t pulling its weight. The issue, he says, is there are certain players who have simply overstayed their welcome — too slow, too predictable, or too far off the pace required to compete at the top.
—
The argument for removal: performance, morale, survival
Performance
Obi argues that it’s not enough to just have a name on the roster; every player must contribute. He pointed out United’s defensive frailties, slow build-up play, and disjointed transitions from midfield to attack — all of which are exacerbated by having players who are past their peak. Those players make mistakes, miss passes, lose duels, and give up the momentum. When the standard drops at one spot, the whole team suffers.
Morale and environment
There’s a psychological cost too. Having players underperforming week after week can breed frustration in teammates, reduce standards, and make even the best bits of coaching feel undermined. Obi’s concern isn’t just about the talent of the individual; it’s about the consequence of retaining someone the fans expect more from — and seeing them repeatedly disappoint.
Managerial safety
The further United slide, the more blame lands on the manager. If Amorim doesn’t show results — wins, clean sheets, top-four or Champions League stability — the club will face the wrath of press, fans, media. Removing underperforming players may be one of the few levers he still has control over. Letting them stay could cost him more than just reputation — possibly his job. Obi warns: unless Amorim acts decisively, he may find himself unable to reverse the slide.
—
Who might be “the ONE” he’s talking about?
Obi named several underperformers, but two names jumped out:
Harry Maguire — once a dominant presence at Old Trafford, now increasingly criticized for lack of pace, positional mistakes, and inability to handle high press or quick attackers. Many feel that as United try to regain intensity and modern defensive demands, Maguire may be failing to adapt.
Casemiro — a veteran in midfield with great pedigree, but critiqued for reduced mobility, lapses in discipline, and being slow in transitions. United seem to struggle in midfield when he’s off or when the game demands dynamism rather than experience. Also named by Obi as part of the “problem group.”
Given the way Obi spoke — referencing both players — the speculation is that Maguire might be the primary target; he is the one whose decline is most visible and whose mistakes often seem costly and repeated. While Casemiro is part of the conversation, his reputation and occasional moments make it harder to fully write off.
—
Why January is crucial
Obi seems convinced that the January transfer window is the moment of truth. Here’s why:
1. Squad trimming: Letting go of players who are no longer delivering opens space — both in wages and in squad spots — for new signings better suited to Amorim’s style, something more mobile, more in tune with pressing, faster transitions.
2. Signal to others: It sends a message to the dressing room — poor performance will have consequences. Standards apply to everyone, not just the new signings or the young players.
3. Time to recover: January lets Amorim bring in reinforcements, tweak the formation, perhaps build momentum into the second half of the season, avoiding a full collapse that might force full rebuild or trigger serious change.
Failing to do this by January, Obi warns, could mean the club sinks further down the table — and once doubt settles, it’s difficult to reverse. If key points are lost, if morale drops, relegation or at least sliding out of European spots could become very real. For United, “playing in the Championship” is obviously hyperbole — but Obi’s rhetoric suggests things could get much darker if drastic changes aren’t made.
—
Risks of moving on too soon
Of course, removing a senior player has risks:
Squad imbalance: Experience is often sacrificed when senior players leave; young players may not fill in seamlessly.
Dressing room fallout: If a player who is well-liked is dropped or sold, it can affect morale.
Timing issues: Making big changes mid-season can be risky; integrating new players takes time.
So while Obi is pushing for a harsh cut, Amorim and United’s hierarchy would need to carefully weigh who they let go, what replacements are in place, and how the transitions are handled.
—
Fan reaction: supporting the purge or cautious?
Many United fans have been frustrated already. There’s significant support for letting go of players widely seen as past their prime. On forums and social media, names like Maguire get mentioned regularly as examples of why United can’t get back among the elite unless the squad is overhauled. Obi’s comments give voice to what many fans have been thinking: that sentiment is now being echoed by respected figures too.
However, some fans will urge caution: loyalty, club legends, respect for what players have contributed. And the hope that experience can still be salvaged with the right coaching and motivation.
—
What would turning point look like?
If this becomes a turning point, here are signs to watch:
Maguire or Casemiro (or the player in question) being dropped from the starting XI consistently
Linked with transfers in January: rumors of United seeking buyers for the player
Amorim publicly acknowledging underperformance and hinting at squad changes
Improved results or sharper performances once risky players are phased out
—
Conclusion: Is this Obi’s ultimatum?
John Obi Mikel’s commentary may not be an official ultimatum, but it feels very close. He’s warning United: live by standards or fall by them. Let go of the ones dragging you down, and you might salvage the season. Hesitate, and you risk much more than a few lost games — your position, legacy, and maybe even your place among the Premier League elite.
Amorim has a decision to make. United have a decision to make. And if Obi is right, January might be less about transfer business and more about survival.
Leave a Reply