Manchester United is not a testing ground! Gary Neville warns the Red Devils' board after Amorim's dismissal.
On 6 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Gary Neville, Manchester United legend, warned the club's executives to "stop experimenting" with manager selections after Ruben Amorim was shockingly dismissed following a severe public criticism of the club after their 1-1 draw with Leeds. Neville stressed that the Red Devils must return to the attacking football DNA that defines the club.
Neville admitted during an interview with Sky Sports, "I think Manchester United would adapt better to a three-center-back system."
"It's a difficult system; wing-backs are challenging, and the role behind the striker requires specialized players. But this failure is a shared responsibility among the manager, players, and club, especially regarding squad reinforcements that don’t suit the system."
"The experiments have to stop. There’s a video of Bobby Charlton talking about Manchester United’s identity as a club that plays adventurous, exciting football, promotes youth players, and entertains fans. United must take risks and play attacking football. The club should appoint a manager who fits the team’s DNA. Ajax has never changed its identity for anyone, and neither has Barcelona."
"I think the overall quality of this Premier League season is below standard, and Manchester United is still in a position to fight for a top-four finish. They need an experienced coach who knows how to lead a team across the finish line and must return to a back-four system with fullbacks who can support the attack."
"I was surprised the back three didn’t work because initially I was quite excited about it. But when I saw the game with a back four (against Newcastle), it looked much more balanced. Doku played right wing, and Dalot and Luke Shaw were fullbacks. It looked like United’s football again, and ultimately, they have to go back to that."
"I can hardly believe Darren Fletcher used a back three in the away game at Burnley on Wednesday. He should have used a back four, with two midfielders, one number 10, one striker, and two wingers."