(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville shared a list of concerns he has over Ruben Amorim and his players in one big rant.
Just one week removed from a morale-boosting victory over Chelsea in the previous weekend, the Red Devils suffered yet another defeat on Saturday, falling short in their West London clash against Brentford on Saturday.
MUFC were soundly beaten by the Bees, who harried them on counter-attacks while displaying some fabulous finishing.
Gary Neville slams Man Utd after Brentford defeat
This defeat meant that United has thus far lost 50% of their Premier League fixtures this season, not to mention the humiliating Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Grimsby Town.
Needless to say, Neville, who has already taken a swipe at Amorim several times in the past, was far from praiseful towards the Portuguese tactician.
The pundit voiced his concern, first and foremost, over the player’s apparent lack of belief in the playing system.
“The Brentford game was a really poor performance and a real worry,” said the United legend on his podcast via Sky Sports.
“I felt for the first time, just through instinct, watching it on the television, seeing players’ faces and body language, that there might be an element of players really doubting the system and what’s going on.”
Neville was particularly irritated by Amorim’s decision to field Mason Mount, an attacking midfielder by trade, as a left wing-back at one stage during the match.
“There was something that happened in that game that I mentioned on my podcast two or three weeks ago that I said we couldn’t see again. I said that Mason Mount ended up at left wing-back.
“There’s sticking to your plan and then there’s your coach that’s got an idea and making sure that he delivers that idea and not flip flopping with his idea with players, which can sometimes undermine what you’re trying to achieve.”
Neville highlights ‘awful’ Amorim decision to shift Mason Mount to the left
Neville went on to describe the decision as awful, and even aimed a dig at Mount who has at times delivered underwhelming displays even in his original role.
“But then when you’re putting Mason Mount at left wing-back – and he’s ended up at left wing-back again at Brentford in the last five minutes to the game – it starts to look awful.
“You can’t put Mason Mount at left wing-back. I’m sorry, it just can’t happen. I can’t watch Mason Mount play left wing-back in a football team.
“I struggled at times to watch him in his natural position, but actually putting him out there on the left wing, is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.”
Neville isn’t the only major pundit who has slammed Amorim’s decisions. For instance, fellow United legend Roy Keane had also roasted the 40-year-old tactician on a few occasions.
While INEOS are still backing Amorim to succeed, Carrington insiders described the manager as a ‘lonely’ and ‘broken’ man, leaving the fans to wonder whether he still has it in him to restore the club’s elite status, which was the plan from the get-go.
