Gary Neville said Manchester United’s defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday was actually a “huge positive” for new head coach Ruben Amorim.
United had most of the possession and accumulated a higher xG (2.24) during the game, compared to Bournemouth (1.24), with more shots on goal and three times more touches in the opposition penalty area, but he did not score, but 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 were trailing 3-0 against Spurs before being gifted two goals.
Passionate Neville, who talks about his former club on his of the same name Sky Sports podcasthe said that the series of results actually highlights to Amorim where the shortcomings are and what needs to be changed.
“I think it’s really good for Ruben Amorim to see what he’s got,” Neville said. “There were times in the past when you could fool yourself into thinking you had a better group of players, because of decent results and promotion in the league. But they are a mile away in every way.
“Playing the way Amorim wants to play, with a 3-4-3, he’s going to have to change that. He’s given everyone a chance by rotating the team and I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of people he’s looked at and thought, ‘yeah, I want you on the bus’. They’re all very mediocre, and I don’t know how it happened – they are better than what they show, to be clear a permanent pattern.
“It is very positive that Ruben Amorim has the opportunity to watch these players in the cold light of day. He has six months of a beauty parade, if you like – more of an ugly parade. He sees what Manchester United fans have watched for ten years, there has to be a cultural overhaul.
“It’s a really hot time, there’s nothing to like about the performance levels or the way they’re playing. They’re all lads who are doing their best, it’s not a personal attack, but they’re not good enough to play for them Manchester Unitedbecause this club’s goal is to be in the top.
“It’s quite clear looking at 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 are coming off the back of a 3-0 win away to fellow runners-up Leicester City.
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