Gary Neville has sharply criticized Manchester United’s setup after they fell behind 1-0 against Tottenham, describing the tactical arrangement implemented by manager Ruben Amorim as “awful.” The match saw United struggling with numerous injuries, as they were without key players like Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer, and also missing Christian Eriksen due to illness. In light of these absences, Bruno Fernandes was pushed back into a more defensive midfield role alongside Casemiro to help bolster the team’s strength in the center of the park.
However, Neville felt that United’s midfield was unbalanced and lacked cohesion, which became evident when Tottenham’s James Maddison scored following a rebound. The goal came after Andre Onana had initially saved Lucas Bergvall’s shot, but Maddison was quick to capitalize on the second attempt. According to Neville, the positioning of United’s two central midfielders, Fernandes and Casemiro, was a major issue. He pointed out the significant gap between them, which he felt left the team exposed and out of shape.
While providing commentary for Sky Sports, Neville was outspoken about the lack of discipline in United’s midfield. He emphasized that the positioning of Fernandes and Casemiro was all wrong, breaking basic principles of football. He was particularly critical of the space between the two midfielders, which he believed contributed to Tottenham’s ability to break through and create the opportunity for the goal. According to Neville, such a tactical setup was a serious mistake, and he called it “awful” due to its lack of structure and the way it allowed Tottenham to exploit the space between the midfielders.
In addition to his concerns about United’s midfield, Neville’s criticism extended to the overall organization of the team. He felt that Amorim’s decisions, particularly in light of the team’s injuries and absences, did not adequately address the needs of the game. The manager’s tactics, according to Neville, were insufficient in shielding the defense and maintaining a compact structure in midfield, which ultimately contributed to United’s inability to prevent Maddison’s goal.
Neville’s remarks reflect a broader frustration with Manchester United’s performance, highlighting tactical flaws that were exposed during the match against Tottenham. His comments underscore the importance of proper midfield balance and positioning, particularly when a team is under pressure and dealing with injury setbacks. For Neville, the team’s breakdown in this area was a clear example of poor management and a lack of attention to key defensive responsibilities.
