Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has slammed Ruben Amorim for his decision-making following the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat against Brentford.
Amorim watched on as his United side struggled to positively influence the game in west London on Saturday.
Bees forward Igor Thiago bagged a first-half brace before new United striker pulled one back for the away side with his first goal since arriving from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window.
United had the chance to equalise when referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty after it was ruled that Nathan Collins had pulled Bryan Mbeumo down in the box on 71 minutes.
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However, former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher denied United skipper Bruno Fernandes before the home side finished the job, thanks to Mathias Jensen’s late long-range effort, which United’s keeper Altay Bayindir will not look back on fondly.
After the match, several fans questioned Amorim’s position as head coach with the Portuguese yet to achieve consecutive victories since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford in the autumn of 2024.
It was reported by talkSPORT that United had drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential successors to the 40-year-old, with former England head coach Gareth Southgate, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola thought to be the in-demand trio.
However, contrary reports from BBC Sport’s Simon Stone suggest that United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is “backing Amorim” and “feels only fair to judge him on a full season”.
United currently sit 14th in the Premier League with a record of two wins, one draw and three losses from six games so far this season.
Part of some fans’ annoyance with Amorim is his unrelenting desire to persist with a 3-4-3 formation despite results not being anywhere near what is expected of the 20-time Premier League champions.
Despite calls for him to adapt, the former Sporting boss maintained that “not even the Pope” could make him change his philosophy.
On Sunday (September 28), former United captain and right-back turned pundit Neville focused on a particular concern he had about Amorim’s tactics.
Speaking on NBC Sports alongside presenter Rebecca Lowe, Neville revealed how he is “worried” about the “levels of performance” as well as the results and even substitutions Amorim has decided to use in recent weeks.
Neville said: “I saw something at the end of the Grimsby game that they lost in the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks ago, which was Mason Mount ending up at left wing-back.
"We admire managers who are stubborn and resilient around their system. We want them to stick to their plan, but when you have Mason Mount playing at left-back, you are going to look pretty stupid.
"It has happened twice now, and it can't happen. The first time I thought it was unforgivable, and yesterday it happened again.
"He changes his back three and his back five every single game and the performances and the results are just unacceptable.
"I'm really, really worried. I would never go on television, as I know how difficult a manager's job can be, and say a manager should be sacked, but I suspect the hierarchy at Manchester United are going to want to see a turnaround."
United return to action with a home match against in-form Sunderland on Saturday, 4 October.
Topics: Manchester United, Gary Neville, Ruben Amorim, Premier League, Football, Brentford, Erik Ten Hag
Luke Davies