Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has said the current squad are in a “desperate situation” and “low on quality” after they were defeated 4-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday.
Sandro Tonali gave Newcastle the lead in the first half before Alejandro Garnacho equalised in the 37th minute. However, a double from Harvey Barnes and a 77th-minute strike from Bruno Guimaraes meant Newcastle ran away with the match after the break.
The loss leaves United 14th in the table, only three points ahead of 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, 17 points off the top five and guaranteed to finish with their lowest points tally of the Premier League era.
Neville, who appeared 602 times for United between 1992 and 2011, described the situation as “worrying.”
“I don’t think there’s a lack of effort,” Neville told NBC after the game. “They’re giving it their all. They’re so below the standard and quality you need at that football club all over the pitch. Other than Bruno (Fernandes) and Amad Diallo maybe, I can’t think of any of them I would hang my hat on.
“It’s a really desperate situation. The squad is so poor on quality. They have old players, they have young players who are nowhere near it, they have a group in the middle… it’s a worrying situation.”
Neville also questioned the suitability of the squad for the system used by head coach Ruben Amorim. United have adopted a back three that is flanked by wing-backs after Amorim was brought in to replace Erik ten Hag in November.
“The system is a problem,” said Neville. “I have asked this question for two months. Who are the natural wing-backs, players good enough going forwards who have great energy and players good enough going back? Who are these two players they play behind the striker?
“They need a centre-forward to carry the line — who is that player that is available who would go to Man Utd? There are seven or eight teams at the top of the league who need a striker. You aren’t going to Man Utd ahead of Liverpool or Arsenal who need a striker. There’s massive issues.
“Honestly, you don’t know where to start or build the first step from. There’s a serious amount of time required and good recruitment for that club to get right.”
United have only won 12 out of 32 matches under Amorim (George Wood/Getty Images)
Fellow former United player Roy Keane also criticised the team heavily after the game.
“United are now physically and mentally a weak team,” he told Sky Sports. “That’s 14 league games they’ve lost now and we keep making excuses for this team.
“You’ve got to dig deep even when you’re up against it, they didn’t do that in the second half.
“I saw another poor performance, particularly in this second half. Not good enough, and I worry for this group of players. They don’t look like a strong group, mentally.”
Amorim was visibly frustrated on the touchline during the match, stating post-game that: “We need to improve in a lot of things and our position is a reflection of our performances this season.”
United captain Fernandes also appeared frustrated on the bench after being substituted.
“We are in this position because we have not been consistent in the performances we put out,” the Portugal international told Sky Sports. “We lack being more fearless, being more brave. Today was not the case because we ended up conceding goals by trying to be brave.
“It’s easy to criticise because this club has never suffered like this, so it’s normal. You have to be aware you play for United and criticism will be there.
“My team-mates — I only get frustrated with them because I know how good they can be. I know how tough it is to represent this club. They want so much to give to the club, to win because they know how much they will be remembered if they win something with this club.”
United host Lyon on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, with the tie locked at 2-2 on aggregate.
(Top photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)