Gary Neville was less than complimentary about Manchester United's current situation after Monday's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
It was United's fourth straight defeat in all competitions and sixth in eight games, while it was the first time since 1979 that they have lost three home games in a row.
Since Ruben Amorim's first game against Ipswich in November, only Southampton (seven) have lost more games in all competitions between Premier League clubs.
United will enter 2025 14th in the Premier League – their lowest year-end position since 1989.
The Red Devils also lost six games in all competitions in December, only the third month in which they have lost six games, after April 1926 (six) and September 1930 (seven).
They also conceded 18 goals in the last month of 2024, the most in a single month since March 1964 (also 18).
“It's grim, it really is. You always look forward to a game at Old Trafford but I woke up this morning and had the feeling United were going to lose,” Neville said.
“I didn't think they would win because Newcastle have a better team, with better players, and a manager with more experience in this competition.
18 – Manchester United conceded 18 goals in all competitions in December, the most in a single month since March 1964 (also 18). Leak. pic.twitter.com/gWvIHDHUBu
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 30, 2024
“I don't always think like that, because I'm not always good at predictions, but when I saw the midfield of Casemiro and Eriksen, and the back three of De Ligt, Martinez and Maguire, defensive full-backs and Zirkzee in that left pocket, I thought there was there was no balance.
“We know there is no attacking threat from the full-backs, and that is not their fault. They are full-backs playing full-back. I was put there once or twice and it was a bloody difficult position to play. The demands on the area of energy level are different.
“The combination of Casemiro and Eriksen in midfield will never work well against Joelinton, Tonali and Guimaraes.
“You can't play against those two. Ruben Amorim should have known that. He changed it after 25 minutes. Mainoo is not in the best shape at the moment, but you can't play those two against their three.
“It was embarrassing, and it was as bad as it can get. It improved when Mainoo came on, and it's not really Casemiro and Eriksen's fault. They would have looked at each other and wanted someone quicker next to them.”
Things won't get any easier for United, who are just seven points above the Premier League relegation zone and nine points behind the top six. They travel to leaders Liverpool on Sunday, after losing 3-0 at Old Trafford in September.
The Red Devils have not won any of their last eight away league games against the Reds (D4 L4), their longest run since a run of nine between 1970 and 1979.
They have also scored just one goal in their last eight away Premier League games against Liverpool, failing to score in each of the last five. Only Everton have had a longer run without scoring in their league history (six between 1969 and 1974).
14 – In the history of the Premier League, four teams that were fourteenth at the turn of the year have subsequently been relegated (Newcastle in 2008-09, Burnley in 2009-10, Norwich in 2013-14 and Leeds in 2022-2023). Warning. pic.twitter.com/gwNqMLldR4
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 30, 2024
“Do we have to go to Anfield on Sunday? Remember when the Sunday League teams used to not show up because they said the traffic was bad or a few players weren't feeling well? Of course, if I'm joking, I I have no idea how they will approach this match on Sunday,” said Neville.
“Manchester United have found this match very tough in recent years. The 7-0. I was there until the bitter end, like many Manchester United fans.
“You're not necessarily afraid of that, but you wonder what Ruben Amorim can do. He can point to Manchester City's performance, but I really don't know.”
“Some players may come back. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford have not shown their qualities in training, but they are better than the players currently on the pitch.
“They have legs and if Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold line up against Zirkzee or Bruno [Fernandes] in large areas they would probably prefer that to Garnacho and Rashford.
“That will be difficult for Amorim, because he wants to establish a new culture and standard in the dressing room of what is right. He has not liked some of the things he has seen in recent months, but at the moment it is necessary and it is desperate.”
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