Gary Neville has stated that Manchester United’s midfield represents a ‘significant issue’ in light of their substantial 3-0 loss in the Manchester derby, criticizing Manuel Ugarte as ‘not adequate’ following yet another disappointing performance under Ruben Amorim.
On Sunday afternoon, United recorded their poorest start to a Premier League season in 33 years, having garnered only four points from four matches, while Amorim faced substantial backlash for his inflexible 3-4-2-1 formation.
The Portuguese manager remained steadfast in defending his tactical approach, asserting that United would prefer to ‘change the man’ in charge rather than see him modify his strategy, following yet another unsatisfactory outcome.
Although Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko also faced scrutiny after the match concluded, Neville emphasized that United’s most pressing concerns are in midfield, where Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes commenced in a double pivot on Sunday.
Gary Neville Slams Manuel Ugarte
Neville, during his appearance on the Gary Neville podcast, asserted that the midfield represents a ‘significant issue’ for United after their 3-0 loss to Manchester City, noting that Ugarte struggled to make an impression in his first Premier League start of the season:
“The midfield is a significant issue, and we have been aware of this. United supporters are aware of this.
“Ugarte and Fernandes today, as you pointed out earlier, about an hour before the match, played in this fixture last year from beginning to end, and United emerged victorious, but Ugarte is not up to the required standard.”
Ugarte was on the field for 80 minutes on Sunday, completing 43 out of 48 passes accurately (90%), winning five out of eight duels, committing two fouls, and losing possession eight times.
The Uruguayan midfielder was substituted for Casemiro in the last 10 minutes as United sought a consolation goal but failed to penetrate Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was making his debut in goal.
In a discussion on Sky Sports after the match concluded, Neville also expressed his concerns regarding United’s failure to strengthen their midfield during the summer transfer window, despite investing nearly £200m in attacking reinforcements.
United welcomed the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Sesko, with the Slovenian forward making his first Premier League start on Sunday, registering one shot on goal in his 80 minutes on the field.
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