GARY NEVILLE has predicted another year of Manchester United struggles due to Ruben Amorim’s “unforgiving” tactics and £300million of “waste.”
The Red Devils’ season hit a new low on Sunday as they lost 1-0 to fellow flops Tottenham.
It leaves United languishing in 15th – just 12 points above the drop zone.
And the misery could continue on Saturday when they travel to in-form Everton, who are now above them thanks to the skills of ex-United manager David Moyes.
Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated figure after seeing his injury-laden side crash to defeat in London at the weekend.
The Portuguese boss was forced to name EIGHT kids on the bench after United were hit by a raft of setbacks.
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Amorim will now be hoping for some serious backing in the summer market as he looks to rebuild his squad.
However, Red Devils icon Neville reckons fans will still have to wait a while before seeing Amorim’s plans fall into place.
He claims a deficit of £300m over the last three years means it is going to take at least several more windows before Amorim has a squad he can call his own.
Neville believes United need to start by signing two midfielders and three specialist centre-backs who are suited to the new 3-4-3 system.
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But Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos can’t afford more “waste” after splashing out on several duds last summer.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, Neville said: “How quickly can Amorim not just get good players in, but get players who can fit into this system?
“It’s a peculiar system, 3-4-3. It’s a system where you’ve got to find two midfield players who are good enough to play with each other and cover a lot of ground.
“You’ve got to find three centre-backs – with two of the outside ones capable of playing out wide in the full-back areas, when the wing-backs go forward.
“So you’re asking for specialists throughout the team. It’s not like other systems which are a little bit more forgiving.
“How quickly can Amorim and the recruitment team at United get to a point where they can adapt this squad into a 3-4-3 squad?
“It’s going to be a minimum of two to three transfer windows because of the investment that’s been made and we know the club’s on the edge of PSR.
“They’ve lost £300m in the last three years, so there’s a real struggle and a real fight to be able to spend the money that they need in the transfer market as well.
“There’s been a lot of waste in the last few years.”
Man Utd ratings v Spurs
MANCHESTER UNITED slipped to a 12th defeat in the Premier League with Rasmus Hojlund coming under fire again.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side – who are now three places above them in 12th – in North London.
Andre Onana – 3
United can’t do anything with him between the sticks. Can’t be trusted to collect anything.
His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.
At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison’s path in the 13th minute.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn’t get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.
Pulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman’s headed chance late-on.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.
Harry Maguire – 5
A mixed bag. Long ball over the top for Hojlund’s chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.
Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son later on.
Diogo Dalot – 6
A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.
Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too.
Patrick Dorgu – 4
A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.
Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on.
Casemiro – 5
Looked every bit a player that hasn’t played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.
Bizarrely dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 89 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain’s game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter.
Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores.
A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week.
Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6
The best of a desperately poor front three. There’s a street player in there and he’s great with his touches at times.
But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.
Rasmus Hojlund – 3
Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United’s recent history?
The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.
He was even caught offside after a pass from an Onana goal-kick in the first half – how often do you see that happen?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
