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Gary Neville delivered a damning verdict on Manchester United’s situation on his podcast after their 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Download Gary Neville’s podcast on Apple | Spotify
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty in the second half meant Arsenal beat Manchester United for the first time in the Premier League since 2006, with United scoring just seven points from six games this season.
From the diamond issue in midfield to poor performance by Paul Pogba and unnecessary pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Neville spoke in depth about United’s current position and insists the warning signs have been there.
Is there a solution in sight? And does Solskjaer have some tough decisions to make?
2:59
United in a desperate position
Neville believes the warning signs have been there at United for many months, a lack of urgency that punctuates their performances, and that finding a solution is difficult with so many decisions Solskjaer must make.
“It cannot be attributed to the fans who did not participate because we have known about that situation for some time. They had a problem at the end of last season, they fought against Southampton, West Ham, and it continues this season in the league.
“The performances have been really bad with a real lack or urgency. United thought they had found the solution to this incredible number of midfielders that they have, six of them, playing a diamond and trying to get four of them. Solskjaer thought they had found the one. system against RB Leipzig, but it’s not going to be that easy, it’s a great launch at Old Trafford.
4:01
“They weren’t balanced, particularly on the right. I never thought Scott McTominay would be there. He changed it at halftime and it was a little better, but there is a real confidence issue and a lack of urgency aligned with the inconsistency.” regarding the form and selection of the team. It is also getting worse. Edinson Cavani in? Is Donny van de Beek coming in? Where does Pogba play? Do you need McTominay and Fred both because they seem to get the ball back? ? It is creating more confusion.
“I had a long discussion with Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football about how to get Pogba and Bruno Fernandes on the team and where Van de Beek plays, but there are too many and now there is a lack of balance. He took Mason Greenwood out, who I thought it probably should have stayed because of that balance, but that exacerbated it.
“They’re in a desperate position, nine points off the top, and Ole really couldn’t afford a bad start in the league. I don’t think anyone expected him to win a league title this season, but to fall behind that much.” . So soon it just puts pressure. Only the Champions League performances have provided some sunshine.
Download Gary Neville’s podcast on Apple | Spotify
Pogba poor, but not alone
Pogba gifted the penalty to the Arsenal winner and received a 4/10 on Sky Sports player ratings, but Neville said the Frenchman was not alone on Sunday.
“If we talk about his performance, he was very, very poor in every part of his game, plain and simple. He was not alone, I thought McTominay was poor, Fred below his normal standard and Fernandes well below his normal standard. I don’t think anyone covered themselves with glory in that midfield, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey knew their craft and dominated.
“I’ve said it for a long time, my problem has been that Pogba’s agent has said publicly that he would like to play for Real Madrid, so there is no secret. Eliminate the emotion: if you are the number one player, the Rooney, Beckham, Neymar or Mbappé, Ronaldo or Messi, they will talk about you more than the rest. It is a compliment. You are the man. They bought you for 90 million pounds and something. “
Download Gary Neville’s podcast on Apple | Spotify
‘The midfield brings more problems than solutions’
Solskjaer altered United’s new midfield diamond at halftime Sunday after Arsenal’s press upset his team in the first half, but the desired result did not come. They have a lot of midfielders, but where can they fit in?
“There are more problems than solutions. You have six midfielders in the club: Nemanja Matic, Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Donny Van de Beek and Paul Pogba and somehow you have to put them in a system, which is forcing Ole to play. a diamond.
2:36
“I think there was an element of him thinking that he could put four players on that diamond and it would work after what happened midweek, but McTominay, on the right side, it didn’t work after five minutes. You have to be comfortable moving into that wide area; Aaron Wan-Bissaka is already a bit uncomfortable with the ball on the right side, so he needs someone to balance it and balancing on the right is a real problem for United.
“When Mason Greenwood left, it was even worse. They wanted Jadon Sancho to obviously play on that side and it seems like a real mistake to fail to draft that position.
“Changing systems, players, having enough in one position and not enough in others, is a real problem. Manchester United full-backs are not the best attacking full-backs in the world; Luke Shaw is well up front; he gives up a bit of balance, but you’re playing a diamond and your width is coming from players who don’t really play well in that position in terms of being tall and wide. Everything looks a bit scruffy and towards the end I’m not sure which way I was playing the United “.
Download Gary Neville’s podcast on Apple | Spotify
Is there a solution? Difficult decisions…
Whats Next? With another transfer window in just two months, Neville feels Solskjaer will have some to make some brave personnel decisions.
“You may have to make some tough decisions, Ole. There are eight weeks until the January transfer window. You may have to upset some. You will have to be selfish. You have to back certain players, but some you don’t want, let them. out instead of trying to fit them all.
4:09
“He’s rotating from game to game to try to keep everyone happy, but he’ll end up losing himself if he’s not careful. There has to be an element of consistency.
“It’s a concern because there doesn’t seem to be a balance. It seemed like every move Mikel Arteta made was controlled. With Ole, he has a group of talented and expensive players that he’s trying to integrate into a system. Having to pick a couple of talented people. and tell the rest that you are not playing. “
Download Gary Neville’s podcast on Apple | Spotify
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