Gary Neville has slammed Rúben Amorim despite Manchester United winning comfortably against Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Manchester United – despite concerns from many – defeated Sunderland 2-0, thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Šeško. Rúben Amorim will be pleased with many aspects of the performance after a poor showing against Brentford.
United looked a cut above the newly promoted side, although there are still many improvements to be made before the Red Devils can begin thinking about a top-four charge.
Senne Lammens made his first start after signing from Royal Antwerp on Deadline Day – in place of Altay Bayindir – and impressed many with his composure and cross-clamining.
The young Belgian could be in line for a start against Liverpool after the international break, although Amorim may favour the more experienced option away at Anfield.
Despite the many positives from the Sunderland performance, Gary Neville has slammed Amorim after a claim made in mid-week.
Neville slams Amorim for pundit criticism
Speaking to Sky Sports after United’s win, Neville slammed Amorim for saying that the pundits are getting into the heads of his players, and playing a part in some poor performances this season.
“I’ve not got a lot of time for that. If pundits are getting into your heads then you shouldn’t be playing for Manchester United. Simple as that.
“I mean, do people not remember Alan Hansen criticising us when we broke in as young kids that you can’t win anything with kids? That was the greatest centre back of all time at that moment. Do they not think we didn’t get criticised during our football careers?”
Neville continued to say: “I’m sorry you’re playing for Manchester United. It comes with the territory. You’ve got to step up. I don’t know I never blamed anybody else when we lost football matches and I played in a dressing room that basically when you lost football matches you came in and you said sorry about that lads today.”
“I was a mess for that goal. There was accountability. Why would you blame other people when you’re losing matches?”
United should use Neville’s criticism as platform to build
While United and Amorim could take Neville’s criticism as an attack on their character, they should use it as a platform to build togetherness within the squad.
Read More: Mason Mount reveals the Manchester United squad’s views on Rúben Amorim after 2-0 Sunderland win
In the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, there was a “United against the world mentality”. The squad were tightly knit and were feared by many. Everyone wanted to be the team that knocked United off the top and that mentality needs to return.
Even when players went on international duty, the United squad remained a tighter bond than a friendship with an international teammate.
It will be harder to create this cut-throat mentality without winning silverware, but Amorim could use the recent criticism as a way to motivate the squad to prove people wrong. The time for change is now.
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