Gary Neville’s Blunt Criticism of Manchester United
Gary Neville, a prominent Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United player, has been highly critical of the team following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The loss was United’s 12th in the Premier League this season, and Neville’s frustration was palpable as he dissected the team’s performance and strategy. Asked whether he saw any positives in Ruben Amorim’s tenure so far, Neville’s response was scathing. The only redeeming quality, according to Neville, has been Amorim’s press conferences. "The best thing about it so far has been actually his press conferences," he remarked, adding, "Even today after the game, the way in which he communicates his vision and his idea that he wants to succeed at Manchester United and he feels he will get it right. I don’t think there is anything on the pitch that I have seen so far, in results or performances, that tell me that we are watching a really good team."
Amorim’s Struggles at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim’s transition from success at Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United has been far from smooth. In his 14 Premier League games as manager, Amorim has managed only four wins while conceding 23 goals. Despite his initial promise and the good team he built at Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese manager has been unable to replicate that success at Old Trafford. Neville pointed out that Amorim’s refusal to adapt his tactics is a significant issue. "He has died in a ditch in respect to when he said very early on, I am not going to change my ideas, so now he can’t," Neville stated. This rigidity, coupled with the team’s poor performance, has left many fans and pundits disillusioned. "That is an issue in some ways as I do think, with those 11 players out on the pitch, that there is a better way to get them into a system that meant that they felt more comfortable," he added, highlighting the need for a more flexible approach.
Neville’s Critique of United’s Midfield Setup
One of the most glaring issues for Manchester United, according to Neville, is their midfield setup. He criticized the wide gap between Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, describing it as "absolute madness" and stating that it "breaks all rules in football." Neville further elaborated, "United may win today and may score goals but I have to say that the structure of the team is awful. The gaps in that midfield between Fernandes and Casemiro. That’s a tactic, they’ve been asked to do that, and it isn’t right." He emphasized that such a setup would not even be acceptable in youth football, underscoring the team’s fundamental tactical flaws.
Onana’s Disappointing Performance
Andre Onana, the goalkeeper, received a particularly harsh critique from Neville. Onana’s performance was rated a paltry 3 out of 10, with Neville stating, "United can’t do anything with him between the sticks. Can’t be trusted to collect anything." The goalkeeper was at fault for Tottenham’s goal, palming out a relatively weak bouncing shot into the path of Maddison in the 13th minute. Neville also noted that Onana’s opposite number, Pierluigi Gollini, who returned for his first game since November after a strong performance against Manchester City, demonstrated a much higher level of skill and reliability.
Player Ratings and Individual Performances
Katherine Walsh, writing for SunSport, provided a detailed player rating for Manchester United’s performance against Tottenham. Most players received mediocre scores, reflecting the team’s overall poor showing. Noussair Mazraoui, a key defensive player, was rated 5, with Walsh praising his clever link-up play with Joshua Zirkzee but noting his struggles against Ben Davies. Matthijs de Ligt, rated 6, made a crucial clearance to prevent a 2-0 lead for Spurs before the half-hour mark. Harry Maguire, another central defender, received a score of 5, characterized by a mixed bag of performances, including an attacking run and a defensive blunder. Diogo Dalot, rated 6, had a difficult afternoon, often left for dead by Son Heung-min and Djed Spence, but did help clear the ball a few times.
Frontline Failures
The attacking lineup for Manchester United was particularly criticized, with all three forwards receiving low ratings. Rasmus Hojlund, the striking sensation, was rated 3, and Neville questioned whether he might be the worst No 9 in United’s recent history. Hojlund was described as "second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession," and he was even caught offside from a goal-kick. Joshua Zirkzee, rated 6, was the best of the front three, showing skill with his touches but failing to convert key chances. Bruno Fernandes, the team captain, was also rated 5, noted for his poor defensive play and uncharacteristically weak crosses, though he did show some improvement in the final 20 minutes of the match. Overall, the attacking unit’s struggles were a significant factor in the team’s defeat.
