Sky Sports’ Gary Neville reacted with dismay to a dismal Manchester United performance in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle. This is what Neville said live on co-commentary…
Sky Sports pundit Neville was on co-commentary at Old Trafford and witnessed another abject display from his former side.
Here is how the Man Utd legend reacted as the match unfolded in front of him…
Before the game…
“You can’t go from where they are currently to an amazing performance. I get that completely.
“But what I would say is that you still need to see glimpses of things that you like, and this idea that Ruben Amorim’s got. I know that they’ve been struggling to get minutes on the training pitch, but you’d like to think from game to game that they’d actually start to settle into a pattern of playing some way, and we’re not seeing that yet.
“One thing I would say is I think Ruben Amorim maybe has to just select an 11 and just go with it.”
On if Amorim is making too many changes
“He hasn’t settled on a team yet. Is it time to create some stability? The players haven’t picked up on his idea, but how much more difficult is it if the players haven’t got the pattern of playing together?”
On if there have been any positives under Amorim
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher discuss whether Ruben Amorim will abandon his footballing principles if Manchester United’s results don’t improve
“They have gone backwards but hopefully that is backwards to go forwards.
“There are very slim pickings in terms of positives in the first few weeks.
“Maybe the most positive thing is that he has seen what these players really are and we are not getting the bounce which may have made him think they are better than they are.
“I think he thought it was a big job but it’s a massive job and he is finding that out early when his a position of power and strength.”
On Manchester United’s summer signings struggling
“What am l surprised about is that when in the summer Manchester United signed those three or four players, I didn’t hear anyone say ‘Manchester United have had a terrible transfer market’.
“I am shocked about how poor those players have been in their early months.
“I have said it before that this club has been a graveyard for players who have come with decent reputations. And it is happening again.
“I didn’t hear anyone say in the summer when Yoro, De Ligt, Ugarte, Zirkzee joined that United hadn’t signed half-decent players. The problem is that when you have seen them out here in a red shirt then Manchester United look a worse team. That’s the odd thing.”
On Isak’s early opener…
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Alexander Isak heads Newcastle into an early Old Trafford lead to pile misery on Manchester United
“Casemiro and [Christian] Eriksen haven’t got the legs to get around.
“Manchester United had three centre-halves… there is a deflection but one of them has to pick up the danger man.
“Manchester United’s confidence is shot.
“Watch Martinez. He has to get aggressive next to him. He has to do better.
“Maguire looks behind him and can’t believe he is unchallenged. Martinez HAS to get body-to-body.”
When Isak missed a one-on-one shortly after…
“What was that?!
“Surely he has to fire it past [Andre] Onana into the far corner.
“But [Lisandro] Martinez’s defending was horrific.”
When Joelinton made it 2-0…
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Joelinton doubles Newcastle’s lead at Manchester United to silence Old Trafford
“It is almost a copy.
“Casemiro and Eriksen shouldn’t be playing together in the Premier League. It is just so easy.”
As the first half progressed…
“Newcastle are hammering Manchester United. This is a mauling.”
On the botched team selection
“When you saw the Manchester United starting XI you had to think it would be very difficult for this team to play well.
“The two wing-backs aren’t very good in the attacking part of the pitch. The two central midfielders can’t run. The back three have no legs. [Joshua] Zirkzee has no balance off [Rasmus] Hojlund.
“You only really have Amad [Diallo] who you think might do something.
On Newcastle’s superiority
“Newcastle are having the time of their lives out there. They should be three or four up.
“They have been absolutely awful. You are watching the worst pound-for-pound team in the country.
“[Diogo] Dalot is very willing and he gets up there but his options with the ability he has as a full-back are limited.
“I am looking at [Ruben] Amorim and he must be thinking, ‘what am l watching?’
“There are only three of them who can say they have been alright under Amorim: Dalot, [Noussair] Mazraoui and Amad.”
When Zirkzee was subbed off in the 33rd minute…
“I have to feel sorry for him.
“He has basically been cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal.
“I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford.
“It’s a brutal one for him. I don’t suspect he went back to get a Lucozade.”
On value for money…
“They have all been absolutely awful. You are watching the worst pound-for-pound team in the country.”
Second-half thoughts…
“I am surprised there weren’t changes at half-time. I thought there would be.
“The amount of changes Manchester United make to their back five in game and from game to game is incredible.
“It has been a struggle for Casemiro and it’s been a struggle for Martinez.
“Since [Kobbie] Mainoo’s introduction, it has been better for Manchester United.
“The first half-hour was embarrassing, as bad as you will see.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Newcastle
As Man Utd struggled to score…
“There was a graphic shown before the game by Jamie Carragher that showed that when Manchester United have played Mazraoui and Dalot, the more defensive wing-backs, they haven’t scored a goal in open play.
“Which is stark and it is happening again in front of our eyes.”
On player of the match Isak…
“I’m stating the obvious but Isak is a hell of a player.
“The game was won by this man in the first 20 minutes.”
On what now for Manchester United
“Worrying times for Manchester United and Amorim.
“He knew it was a big job but l think it is far bigger than he ever imagined.”
