Neville’s Blunt Assessment of United’s Title Hopes and Amorim’s Tactical Overhaul
Manchester United will head into the second leg with a three-goal advantage against Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday. With one step into the Europa League final, Rubem Amorim’s side will own the fate of their European qualifications. However, given their record in the English League, many football pundits have raised questions about the standards long gone.
Amorim’s side currently stands 15th on the Premier League table. With 16 of the 35 games lost and 9 draws, the Red Devils are heading towards one of their worst campaign. Moreover, losing more games (8) than they won (6) at Home, the team is looking stuck on ideas at both turfs.
Manchester United’s losing standards have concerned plenty of pundits and former players. With 39 points in 35 games, the English Giants are far from the position they are used to.
Speaking on where the team currently stand and where United stand in the title race, Manchester United player Gary Neville had bold words for his former club. Speaking about the situation of standards, Neville said on this week’s episode of The Overlap:
“The edge in the league has gone”
“United – the edge is gone. The edge was just off – the game they lose the edges off United because of the Europa League.”
The English defender also insisted that Amorim be brave in his decisions, as he continued:
“I said this for [Erik] ten Hag for months. [Amorim] Pick an XI you think is the best. Today, that XI, apart from Luke Shaw, was close to Manchester United XI as you could get.”
“It genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if Rúben Amorim made these big types of calls. I don’t think he’s got ANYTHING to lose.”
Neville also shared insights on how the club should move in Amorim’s tactics. Looking at the team as it is, Neville said Manchester United are far from their title hopes, as he continues,
“l can’t even think about winning the title, that’s miles away. Amorim’s approach at Manchester United, you can see he’s trying to get that three at the back, the wing-backs pushing on.”
“Pedro Gonçalves, who’s a fantastic player, could fit into that attacking midfield role.”
Pedro Gonçalves has impressed playing for Sporting as they battle in the Liga Portugal. The Portuguese have been a regular in the conversations as several clubs seek his talents.
Wanting to bring in recruits could be linked to their Champions League qualifications. With their only hope being a ticket through the Europa League, this seminal contest could be important I’m bigger scheme of things too.
Amorim, who led the Red Devils to a comfortable 3-0 victory, will be expected to keep a conscious approach. Manchester United could be in for two consecutive seasons with trophies, given their FA Cup triumph last year. Although the trophies could be coming, the level at which the Red Devils wanted to be.
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