Sky Sports’ Gary Neville reacts to Manchester United’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. Here’s what Neville had to say on live commentary…
Sky Sports pundit Neville was on joint commentary at Old Trafford and witnessed another dreadful display from his former side.
This is how the Man Utd legend reacted when the match was going on in front of him…
Before the game…
“You can’t go from where they are now to an amazing performance, I totally get that.
“But what I would say is you still have to see the things that you like and this idea of Ruben Amorim. I know they’ve been struggling to get minutes on the training pitch, but you’d like: Think from game to game that they will actually start to settle into some kind of pattern of play and we just don’t see it yet.
“One thing I would say is I think Ruben Amorim can just pick an 11 and go with it.”
If Amorim makes too many changes
“He hasn’t established himself in the team. Is it time to create some stability? But how much harder is it if the players don’t have a pattern of playing together?”
On whether there were positives under Amorim
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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher discuss whether Ruben Amorim will give up his footballing principles if Manchester United’s results don’t improve.
“They’ve gone backwards, but hopefully forwards are backwards.
“There are very slim pickings in terms of positives in the first few weeks.
“Perhaps the most positive thing is that he’s seen what these players really are and we don’t get the jump that might make him think they’re better than they are.
“I think he thought it was a big job, but it’s a huge job, and he finds that out early on when his strength and power comes in.”
Manchester United’s summer signing scrambles
“What amazes me is that when Manchester United signed those three or four players in the summer, I didn’t hear anyone saying, ‘Manchester United have had a terrible transfer market.’
“I’m shocked at how poor those players have been in their first months.
“I’ve said before that this club has been a graveyard for footballers who have come with a reputation, and it’s happening again.
“I didn’t hear anyone say in the summer, when Joro, Ugarte, Zirx joined, that United didn’t buy half-decent players. The problem is that when you see them here in a red shirt, then Manchester United look like a bad team, that’s weird.”
At Isak’s early opening…
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Alexander Isak leads Newcastle to Old Trafford’s early lead that makes Manchester United miserable
“Casemiro and (Christian) Eriksen don’t have the legs to walk around.
Man Utd had three centre-halves… there is a drift but one of them has to take the danger man.
The confidence of “Manchester United” is shot.
“Look at Martinez. He has to be aggressive on his side. He has to perform better.
“Maguire looks behind him and can’t believe he’s unchallenged. Martinez HAS to go body-to-body.”
When Isak missed the fight shortly after…
“What was that?!”
“Of course he has to fire it past (Andre) Onana into the far corner.
“But (Lisandro) Martinez’s defense was terrible.”
When Joelinton made it 2-0…
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Joelinton doubles Newcastle’s lead at Manchester United to silence Old Trafford.
“It’s almost a copy.
“Casemiro and Eriksen shouldn’t be playing together in the Premier League. That’s too easy.”
During the first half…
“Newcastle beat Manchester United. It’s a hoax.
About choosing an unsuccessful team
“When you see Manchester United’s starting line-up, you have to think that it will be very difficult for this team to play well.
“The two full-backs don’t play very well in the forward area. The two central midfielders don’t have the legs. (Joshua) has no balance with Hoylund.
“You really only have Amad (Diallon) who you think can do something.
On the excellence of Newcastle
“Newcastle are having the time of their lives there. They should be three or four up.
“They were absolutely terrible. You’re watching the worst pound-for-pound team in the country.
“(Diogo) Dalot is very fit and he’s getting up there, but the opportunities he has as a full-back are limited.
“I look at (Ruben) Amorim and he has to think: “What am I looking at?”
“There are only three of them who can say that they were good under Amorim: Dalot, (Nusair) Mazraui and Amad.”
When Tsirkzi was sent off in the 33rd minute…
“I have to feel sorry for him.
“He’s basically been cheered on by his fans and it’s brutal.
“I haven’t seen that many times at Old Trafford.
“It’s a cruel case for him. I have no doubt that he went back to take Lucozade.”
On the value of money…
“They’ve all been absolutely terrible. You’re watching the worst pound-for-pound team in the country.”
Second half thoughts…
“I’m surprised that there were no changes at halftime, I thought there would be.
The amount of changes Manchester United make to their starting line-up from game to game and from game to game is incredible.
“It was a struggle for Casemiro and Martinez.
“Since the introduction of Kobi Maino, it has been better for Manchester United.
“The first half hour was embarrassing, as much as you will see.”
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Premier League Manchester United vs Newcastle highlights
While Manchester United struggled to score…
“There was a graphic shown by Jamie Carragher before the game that showed when Manchester United play Mazraowi and Dalot, who are more protected by the full-backs, they haven’t scored in open play.
“Which is severe and is happening again before our eyes.”
The best player of the match Isak…
“I’m stating the obvious, but Isak is a hell of a player.
“This man won the game in the first 20 minutes.”
What is “Manchester United” about now?
“Troubling times for Manchester United and Amorim.
“He knew it was a big job, but I think it was a lot bigger than he ever imagined.”
