Gary Neville has suggested that Manchester United’s defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday is actually a “massive positive” for new boss Ruben Amorim.
United had most of the possession and accumulated a superior xG (2.24) throughout the game compared to Bournemouth (1.24), with more shots on goal and three times more touches in the opposition box , however he did not score and conceded three times.
It means Amorim has won just four of his first nine games since taking charge a month ago, with four of the last six against Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur (Carabao Cup) and Bournemouth ending in defeat. United lost 3-0 against Spurs before conceding two goals.
An impassioned Neville, speaking from his former club to his own self titled Sky Sports podcasthe said the series of results is showing Amorim where the shortcomings are and what needs to change.
“I think it’s very positive that Ruben Amorim sees what he has,” Neville said. “There have been times in the past when you can fool yourself into thinking you have a better group of players, thanks to decent results and promotion. But they are a mile apart in every way.
“Playing the way Amorim wants to play, with the 3-4-3, he’s going to have to change that. He’s tested everyone by rotating the team and I don’t think there’s many that he’s looked at and thought, ‘Yeah.’ , I want you on the bus’ They are all very mediocre, and I don’t know how it happened, they are better than what they are showing, let’s be clear boss.
“It’s very positive that Ruben Amorim is getting a chance to look at these players in the cold light of day. He’s had six months of a beauty pageant, if you like, which is more of an ugly pageant. He’s seeing what Manchester United fans have .seen for ten years, there must be a cultural overhaul.
“It’s a really torrid time, there’s not much to like about the performance levels or the way they’re playing. They’re all lads trying their best, it’s not a personal attack, but they’re just not good enough to play. Manchester Unitedbecause this club wants to be at the top.
“It’s pretty clear watching these players, they’re not good enough.”
United are next in action away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, with the hosts in the relegation zone but on the back of a 3-0 away win over fellow strugglers Leicester City.
