“I’m worried…” Gary Neville’s honest admission amid Manchester United’s relegation threat

Gary Neville has admitted he is worried about Manchester United amid the relegation threat that is being talked up surrounding Rúben Amorim’s side.

Manchester United’s struggles continued as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United secured a commanding 2-0 victory at Old Trafford on Monday evening over Rúben Amorim’s team, capping off the Premier League action for 2024.

With key players Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte missing due to suspension, Joshua Zirkzee was thrust into an attacking midfield role. However, United’s plans unravelled early, with Alexander Isak heading Newcastle into the lead just four minutes after kickoff.

Joelinton compounded United’s woes with a second headed goal in the 20th minute, leaving the home side reeling. In an attempt to salvage the game, Amorim replaced the ineffective Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after only 33 minutes.

The second half saw a more spirited United side, and Harry Maguire came close to sparking a comeback when his header rattled the post. Despite their efforts, the hosts failed to break through Newcastle’s resolute defense.

Newcastle held firm to claim a well-deserved win, leaving Manchester United to rue another disappointing display in a season filled with frustration.

Neville admits he’s worried amid United’s relegation threat

United’s loss on Monday evening leaves the club still sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, just seven points above the relegation zone, with some starting to worry if the side are dragging themselves into a relegation battle.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat, although he did not reference relegation directly, former United captain Gary Neville admitted that he is worried about his former side.

“I’m worried. It is really grim,” he said. “That first half an hour tonight was hard to watch as a United fan.

“I think that the thing is, I think we knew a lot of what we actually saw on the pitch was going to happen. I mean, Casemiro and [Christian] Eriksen in midfield, Jamie Carragher had done a piece in the studio about [Noussair] Mazraoui and [Diogo] Dalot playing wing-backs, and being more defensive, and that wouldn’t lead to goals, which is exactly what happened.

“I asked Rúben Amorim before the game about the idea of Zirkzee in that left pocket. That’s not a left pocket that you stay in. That’s a left pocket that means that you have to go and pick up the right back for Newcastle when he goes forward.

“That’s a left pocket that means you have to make runs through. When he said that he wasn’t really a number nine, and that’s where he saw him playing, I was surprised. I didn’t see any balance in the team selection.

“So I think that whilst I was a little nervous about Manchester United [not] doing well in this game tonight before I saw the team sheet, once I saw the team sheet, I was pretty sure that it would be a struggle, and I think a lot of what we saw we expected. It was a grim night.”

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