Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United believes that Gary Neville's comments about the robot -like nature of his side are “fairly honest”, but he was quickly defending their approach.
The suggestion of Neville that United was too heavy was too heavy after an uninspired 0-0-look game in the Manchester Derby last weekend.
In that match, United sides against an Onder-PAR Manchester City side under the par and only managed two shots on goal from their 13 total attempts and operated with a modest 0.91 expected goals.
The result left them 13th in the table with 38 points, making them closer to the 17th wolves placed, which are six points behind them, then they go to the upper half of the table, with 10th placed Bournemouth on 45 points.
“They are micromanaged within an inch of their lives – so robot -like, that game – and quite symptomatic, actually of many games that we watch today,” said Neville on Sky Sports. “It's not good enough. I feel disappointed.
“It is a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder and risk, and courage to play the game and win the game than that.”
Amorim acknowledged that, given the current versions of United, such comments are not unjustified.
“In this game they see the games and in our moment, with the season we do, we have to accept it and this is pretty honest,” he said, speaking with Sky Sports.
“Sometimes at the end of the game you don't like it because you try to change things very hard and they are talking about your players.
“But then, a day later, you can understand it. It's honest and I understand what he says.”
United did not score in eight Premier League matches since Amorim took over it in November last year, with only relegation Certailles Leicester City that did not score in more competitions (13 for the side of Ruud van Nistelrooy).
Despite the poor numbers of United and the lack of momentum that takes the business end of the season, Amorim has insisted that his side adapts to the modern progression of the game and that tactical structure is now fundamental for success.
“The game is completely different and you have to be so good in your base and then that individual aspect and the freedom and fluidity of the game will appear. But I think we need time for that,” he said.
“There was an evolution, you can like it or not, but there was an evolution because you have all the games from the opponent's detail, of your departments, so that you can better understand the movements they make.
“In that evolution you have to be tactically better. Sometimes I talk to it [Darren] Fletcher, about how he prepared the games with Sir Alex Ferguson, it's completely different.
“There was more a feeling that aspect of the individual talent. I think that is not enough today and you can see some of the best teams, especially if you remember the years of you [Real Madrid’s] Galacticos, they might have the best players in the world, but you have to have a connection. “
Ruben shares his opinion on the contemporary Manchester Derby #MUFC || #Munmci
– Manchester United (@manutd) April 6, 2025
Amorim has previously recognized the importance of people who stand up, but he believes that United cannot win games that only trust that.
“We can't win the games as I said with the individual aspect and let the players do what they feel. I don't see the game that way,” claimed the 39-year-old.
“I see the game in a different way and again, nowadays they know everything about our players. The way [Alejandro] Garnacho will use the right foot on the left, every detail that the opponent knows.
“So we must have an idea of how we can play as a team and then expect the individual part to help us. Because ultimately the crucial point is to make a difference in the game.
“Sometimes we miss that creativity in the last third part, sometimes the quality. And when I am talking about the quality, it is not just the individual quality, it is the understanding of the game in the last third part.
“So I want to see both because I want to entertain people, but I also like to see my team defending as they defended in this game.”
United is now running the focus of their disappointing Premier League campaign to the Europa League, where they are confronted with Lyon in the quarterfinals.
Amorim's only chance of silverware this season – as well as the only hope of United to qualify for the Champions League next season – depends on their versions in Europe.
They travel to France this Thursday for the first stage before they were confronted with Newcastle United during the weekend, with the second stage that will be played in Old Trafford next week.
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