Gary Neville names just three Manchester United players who have ‘taken the right approach’ under Ruben Amorim

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Manchester United suffered another chastening evening as Ruben Amorim suffered a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.

2024 has been another disappointing year for Manchester United and the arrival of Ineos has not changed the club’s fortunes.

United fans were hoping for some form of positivity in the final game of 2024 as Newcastle United arrived at Old Trafford.

This was yet another dreadful night though as Alexander Isak and Joelinton headed home from close range inside the first 20 minutes.

United were a little more spirited after the break but it’s now five defeats in the last six Premier League games for new boss Ruben Amorim.

Nobody really had a good night for United but Joshua Zirkzee’s first-half substitution really summed up a woeful evening.

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Gary Neville defends three Manchester United players

United end 2024 in truly dismal fashion and fans are just hoping and praying for a better 2025.

Amorim was only appointed in November but it already feels as if he is under huge pressure after a tough start.

United are in genuine danger of being sucked into a relegation battle and that simply can’t happen.

Amorim is already looking a little defeated, as if the scale of the challenge ahead of him has really set in.

United arguably seem to be getting worse and former defender Gary Neville has shared his verdict on the United players.

As quoted by BBC Sport, Neville named just three players who have ‘done okay’ since Amorim was appointed.

Neville feels that Amad Diallo, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are the only players to receive passing grades so far.

Neville added that the trio have ‘not been amazing’ but they have at least ‘taken the right approach’ and attempted to adapt and buy into Amorim’s approach.

“There are only three players that can probably say that they have done okay since Ruben Amorim arrived. Amad, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui. They have not been amazing don’t get me wrong but they have taken the right approach,” said Neville.

Manchester United wing backs a problem

Neville seemingly likes how Dalot, Mazraoui and Amad have equipped themselves and appreciates the attitude they have provided.

There is a problem here though and it relates to the 3-4-3 formation Amorim has brought from Sporting to United.

Amorim lined up with Dalot and Mazraoui as his wing backs against Newcastle, two natural full backs.

Neville doesn’t like that approach and told the Gary Neville Podcast that he saw a stat pointing out that United have yet to score a goal from open play with those two players as wing backs.

“There was a stat before the game, Manchester United, every time they’ve played Mazraoui and Dalot as wing backs, they’ve not scored a goal. They’ve not scored a goal in open play, Manchester United, with Mazraoui and Dalot at wing back,” said Neville.

Wing backs are crucial to any back three system and Amorim probably doesn’t quite have the options he wants there just yet.

That will be something to monitor in 2025 but Amorim may need to find some other solutions at wing back if United are to start scoring goals again.