Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has insisted that there are “massive issues” facing Manchester United after Ruben Amorim’s men played against Newcastle on Sunday.
The Red Devils dropped to 14th place in the Premier League table after Everton’s shock 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at City Ground on Saturday.
Ruben Amorim’s men were unable to climb back ahead of Everton in the table and the Red Devils instead suffered a 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park on the weekend.
Newcastle hosted Manchester United for Sunday afternoon’s clash and Eddie Howe’s men were in the lead in the 24th minute thanks to Sandro Tonali’s strike.
“Man United now are physically and mentally a weak team.”
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Alejandro Garnacho pulled the Red Devils level before half-time, but Newcastle turned up their performance in the second half and blew United out of the water.
Harvey Barnes put Newcastle 2-1 up against United only four minutes after the break before the 27-year-old winger added the Magpies’ third in the 64th minute.
Eddie Howe’s side ensured all three Premier League points were sealed by the 77th minute after Bruno Guimaraes scored following an Altay Bayindir howler.
Photo by Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesGary Neville highlights a major issue for Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford after the 4-1 Newcastle defeat
Manchester United have only managed 10 wins from 32 Premier League matches in their woeful 2024-25 campaign and Ruben Amorim is facing immense pressure.
The Red Devils only have six Premier League matches remaining and United are on course for their worst league finish in the Premier League era.
Amorim arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting CP last November and replaced former United and Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at the Premier League club.
The 40-year-old United manager wasted no time in making changes to the first-team squad and it included Amorim’s tactical system of playing with a three-man backline.
Speaking on NBC Sports, Gary Neville suggested that Amorim’s system for United remains a big problem and he highlighted the issue “about two months” ago.
“The system is a problem,” he said, as per Sky Sports.
“I’ve asked this question for about two months, who are the natural wing-backs? Players that are good going forward, that have great energy and that are good enough going back. Who are those players?
“Who are these two players he plays in behind the striker? They need a centre-forward who is going to carry the line.
“Who is that player that is available who is going to go to Man Utd because there are seven or eight teams at the top of the league who need a striker too?
“You aren’t going to Man Utd over Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal, who also need strikers.”
Gary Neville sends clear warning to Man Utd and Ineos after the Premier League loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park
Neville added that Ineos and United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will need to ensure that the right recruitment choices are made to put the Red Devils back on track.
“[There] are massive issues,” he continued.
“Honestly, you don’t know where to start, you don’t know where to build the first step from, and that’s the problem at the moment.
“There’s a serious amount of time required and good recruitment for that club to get right.”
United will now return to action in the Europa League on Thursday evening, with the Red Devils hosting Lyon at Old Trafford for their crucial second-leg quarter-final tie.