Gary Neville has revealed the only two players he believes are high enough quality to hit the standard Manchester United demands after a 4-1 drudging against Newcastle.
Manchester United suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Sunday, marking their 14th Premier League loss of the season, many of which have come under Rúben Amorim.
United began brightly, showing early attacking intent, but it was Newcastle who struck first. On 25 minutes, Alexander Isak delivered a pinpoint lofted pass to Sandro Tonali, who coolly finished to put the home side ahead.
Despite Newcastle controlling much of the play, United found a response. A swift counter-attack in the 37th minute saw Alejandro Garnacho break through and slot home the equaliser, sending the sides in level at the break.
But the second half unraveled quickly for Amorim’s men. Just minutes after the restart, Jacob Murphy’s low cut-back found Harvey Barnes, who restored Newcastle’s lead. Barnes then added a second, taking full advantage of a slip from Noussair Mazraoui to make it 3-1.
The misery was compounded late on when Bruno Guimarães punished a loose pass from Altay Bayındır, firing in Newcastle’s fourth. United had no reply, slumping to another damaging defeat as their season continued to spiral.
Neville names only two players United must keep
Amid rumours that United may be open to selling a whole host of high-value players this summer, former United captain Gary Neville has explained that he feels only two of Amorim’s players are of high enough quality to reach the demands of a United player.
Speaking on NBC Sports after the 4-1 loss, Neville said: “They’re not a very good team. Simple as that. The problem with this group of players is they’re giving it their all. I don’t think there’s a lack of effort.
“They’re so below the standard and quality you need at that football club all over the pitch. Other than Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo maybe, I can’t think of any of them I would hang my hat on.
“It’s a really desperate situation because the squad is so poor on quality. They’ve got old players, they’ve got young players who are nowhere near it, they have a group in the middle… It’s a worrying situation.”
Neville forgot about Yoro
Fernandes and Amad are two of Amorim’s most important players – this is an unquestionable fact.
However, Neville has omitted the “superb” Leny Yoro, who has proven over the last few months that he is one of the brightest young centre-backs on the planet and is certainly of quality to be a United player.
Although he only made his debut for United in December following a £52 million transfer from Lille, Yoro is already growing into becoming a leader at the club despite his age of 19.
Aside from Fernandes and Amad, Yoro is the third United star that Amorim must look to keep at the club this summer. He has become a fantastic tool on the left of his back three amid the absence of Lisandro Martínez
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