Gary Neville has ripped into all but one of Manchester United’s players following a dismal 1-1 Premier League draw against West Ham at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s difficulties in seeing out matches continued as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened West Ham in a lacklustre Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.
The game began at a subdued pace, with little action in the opening exchanges aside from a few visiting corners and some forward movement from United that failed to produce any genuine threat. Although the hosts grew more assured as the half progressed, clear chances remained scarce and the score stayed level at the interval.
Rúben Amorim made a half-time change, replacing Ayden Heaven with Leny Yoro, and United emerged with greater attacking intent. Their breakthrough arrived just before the hour when a deflected Casemiro strike landed at the feet of Diogo Dalot, who calmly converted from inside the box.
Yet the advantage did not bring control, as United remained disjointed and allowed West Ham back into the contest. With just under ten minutes remaining, Soungoutou Magassa found the equaliser to restore parity and lift the visitors.
United attempted to respond in the closing stages, but were unable to find a decisive second goal, as West Ham held on to secure a hard-fought point on Thursday evening.
Neville feels only Fernandes was trying vs West Ham
Bruno Fernandes has always been a fairly divisive character when it comes to his captaincy, with some feeling his constant bickering on the field is a negative trait. However, following the draw, United legend Gary Neville stated he felt the 31-year-old was the only player trying to win under Amorim.
“This was a massive opportunity,” he explained on the Gary Neville podcast. “You saw the games they had lined up [against Everton, Palace and West Ham] and they won the most difficult game [vs Palace].
“But unfortunately, they’re not taking their chances to get up there and be up there. And I don’t get it. I don’t get the lack of urgency and lack of intensity.
“I don’t get the slow play and the lack of risk in the game. I suspect Amorim isn’t going into the changing room saying, ‘Guys, play slowly tonight.’ He’s going in there and saying to move the ball quickly and to play with real threat and vigour.
“But it doesn’t transpire out on the pitch. I don’t see the appetite to go and throw your whole life at the game and everything you’ve got. Bruno does look a little bit like he does that, you could see him at the end there trying to get everywhere.
“I actually see that little bit of panic in him that we can’t draw this game. I don’t see it in enough of the others. I don’t see. I still see them being quite [passive], letting the game drift or walking to a throw-in.”
Anything but a win vs Wolves is a disaster
Following on from the West Ham draw, United are set to head to Wolverhampton to face bottom-of-the-league Wolves, who have no wins and two draws all season.
Anything other than three points on Monday night would be a complete and utter disaster for the United head coach and his future at Old Trafford.
Although Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been strong in backing the 40-year-old and taking time with his process, Amorim has shown time and time again that when United could be set to take advantage of other teams falling around them, they fail to do so.
If the club had secured wins against the likes of Everton, Brentford, and West Ham this season, they would be sitting second in the table, three points off league leaders Arsenal, but nervy displays and negative substitutions from Amorim have ruled out that possibility.
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