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Gary Neville Identifies Two Manchester United Players Ruben Amorim ‘Dislikes’ as He Criticizes Manager After Palace Defeat

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Gary Neville has hinted that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim may not be fond of two of his strikers, following the club’s latest disappointing performance.

Since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in November, Amorim, 40, has struggled to establish consistency at Old Trafford. Out of his 19 matches in charge, United have suffered defeat eight times, with their latest setback coming in a 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace. The defeat left the Red Devils in 13th place, a staggering 14 points behind the Premier League’s top four.

Amorim made a surprising tactical decision by benching both of his recognized strikers, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, opting instead to deploy Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine. However, this experiment proved ineffective, as Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized with a brace. Even when Zirkzee and Hojlund were introduced in the second half, they failed to make a meaningful impact.

In the aftermath of the match, Neville voiced his concerns over Amorim’s team selection, suggesting that the Portuguese coach may not have confidence in his striking options.

“It’s one of two things,” Neville explained on The Gary Neville Podcast. “Either he’s experimenting to find a system he likes, or he simply doesn’t rate the strikers he has at his disposal.”

Neville admitted that he had expected Bruno Fernandes or Alejandro Garnacho to play up front instead. “When I saw Kobbie Mainoo leading the line, I knew everything had to be perfect for it to work. From Crystal Palace’s perspective, they must have welcomed that decision because United had no real goal threat.”

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He continued, “I’m not saying Hojlund would have scared them, but at least he provides a physical presence. Zirkzee is a big lad as well. These players might not be world-class, but I just couldn’t see how United were going to score. Where were the goals supposed to come from?”

Both Zirkzee and Hojlund have struggled to find form this season. The Dutch forward has managed just three Premier League goals, while the Danish striker has netted only twice in league play.

United had been seeking attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel heavily linked to a move. However, Tel ultimately signed for Tottenham, leaving United with only the additions of wing-back Patrick Dorgu and defender Ayden Heaven.

Despite Amorim’s apparent reservations about his strikers, Neville insisted that the manager has no choice but to rely on the players currently available to him.

“He won’t be enjoying this period, but he has to simplify things,” Neville stated. “Even if he doesn’t rate Hojlund or Zirkzee, he needs to work with what he has. He can’t keep making drastic changes—it’s time to settle on a team and a system.”

The former United captain also delivered a damning verdict on Amorim’s tenure so far, pointing out that the club has lost five of its last seven home league matches. With United’s struggles mounting, Neville predicted further difficulties ahead, warning that the team’s ongoing woes could impact next season as well.

“I genuinely thought things would improve when Amorim arrived,” Neville admitted. “I expected the players to buy into his system and for results to take a positive turn. Instead, it’s been the opposite—it’s gotten worse. That’s really surprising.”

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Looking ahead, Neville believes that unless results change quickly, United’s long-term prospects will be at risk.

“There’s going to be more pain before the end of the season, and that’s going to have lasting effects. Amorim will likely remain in charge, but the more United lose, the harder it will be for him to gain the players’ trust.”

He elaborated, “When players don’t believe in a system and keep facing criticism, it only worsens morale. Fans are already leaving the stadium disappointed. If the losses continue, the squad could lose faith entirely, which would have damaging consequences for the start of next season.”

Despite the grim outlook, Neville acknowledged that Amorim remains committed to his philosophy. “He can’t abandon his approach now—he’s put everything into it. But the numbers don’t lie. He’s lost more games at Manchester United in his short time here than he did in his last 75 matches with Sporting.”

Manchester United will have an opportunity to bounce back when they host Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.

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Manchester United

Ruben Amorim Must Shake Up Man Utd Squad After Uninspiring Leicester Win

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Manchester United’s progression to the FA Cup fifth round was anything but convincing, as they narrowly edged past a struggling Leicester City side in a performance that left much to be desired.

Despite securing a 2-1 victory, Ruben Amorim’s team looked far from dominant. Leicester, currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, took the lead on Friday night, putting United on the back foot. It took Joshua Zirkzee’s second-half equalizer and a stoppage-time header from Harry Maguire to secure the win—though Maguire’s goal would have been ruled offside had VAR been in play.

While the result ensures United’s place in the next round, it also highlights deeper issues within the squad. Amorim’s vision for the team is yet to take full shape, and if they are to salvage anything from this season, key changes need to be made—starting with dropping underperforming senior players.

One of the most pressing concerns is Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish forward arrived from Atalanta for a hefty £72 million fee but has struggled to justify his price tag. With only ten goals to his name from his time in Italy, he has yet to adapt to the intensity of English football. His performance against Leicester was another example of his struggles, as he failed to register a single shot during a disjointed first half.

If United want to build momentum and challenge for silverware, Amorim must make bold decisions. Dropping players who are failing to meet expectations might be the first step toward turning things around at Old Trafford.

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Ruben Amorim Dismisses ‘Fergie-Time’ Notion with Blunt Manchester United Assessment After FA Cup Triumph Over Leicester

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Ruben Amorim voiced his frustration once again following Manchester United’s hard-fought FA Cup victory over Leicester City. Despite securing a place in the fifth round, Amorim remained critical of his team’s performance, stating that the club’s ongoing struggles stem from “everything”—from minor details to major issues. A second-half goal from Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time winner helped United overturn Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s opener.

Amorim Unimpressed Despite United’s Progress

Despite advancing in the FA Cup, Amorim attributed United’s lackluster display against Leicester to broader issues within the team. Zirkzee’s introduction helped cancel out De Cordova-Reid’s first-half strike, while Maguire’s controversial late goal sealed the win. However, Amorim dismissed any comparisons to Manchester United’s legendary “Fergie-time” comebacks under Sir Alex Ferguson, asserting that the team’s struggles remain evident.

“We had to believe until the end, but this game has nothing to do with Fergie-time,” Amorim told ITV. “Our performance needs significant improvement—both with and without the ball. The energy levels were poor, especially in the first half. The second half was slightly better, with more pace and better ball-winning, but overall, it wasn’t a convincing display.”

Addressing United’s Issues

The Portuguese manager took accountability for his side’s inconsistencies, emphasizing the need for collective improvement.

“It’s a combination of everything,” he explained. “As the coach, I take responsibility when the team doesn’t perform or progress as expected. We analyze games, look for areas to refine, and work towards improvements.

“Sometimes, it’s the small details—controlling possession, avoiding unnecessary turnovers under pressure. Other times, it’s larger tactical issues. Right now, we need to find solutions, especially at home, where we’ve struggled the most. It’s a tough phase, but we must push forward.”

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Controversy Surrounding Maguire’s Late Goal

United were on the verge of suffering their ninth defeat under Amorim and their second loss at Old Trafford within a week. However, Maguire’s last-gasp header secured the victory in dramatic fashion—though not without controversy.

Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was left furious as replays suggested Maguire was offside when he scored. With no VAR in operation, the assistant referee’s decision stood, denying Leicester the opportunity to push the match into extra time.

Amorim later acknowledged the controversial nature of the winning goal, stating: “The goal was offside. VAR should be available to overturn decisions like that—it’s unfair to the opposition, especially to Ruud.”

While Amorim conceded that his side showed more determination in the second half, he reiterated that the performance was far from satisfactory.

“We showed more energy and some individual contributions made a difference, but overall, we weren’t at our best,” he admitted.

Looking Ahead

With United already securing automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League last 16, they will have a brief respite before resuming Premier League action. Their next fixture sees them travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on February 16, where Amorim will hope for a much-improved display.

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Ruben Amorim Explains Marcus Rashford’s Loan Move After Manchester United Exit

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Marcus Rashford’s time at Manchester United may have reached its conclusion, as he has officially joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season.

United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, shed light on Rashford’s departure, citing difficulties in adapting to his tactical and training expectations. The 27-year-old forward had been absent from United’s squad for 12 consecutive matches before sealing his move to Villa on Sunday.

Under the terms of the loan agreement, Aston Villa will cover at least 75% of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages and hold an option to make the deal permanent in the summer. Meanwhile, Manchester United are expected to seek a top-tier striker in the next transfer window.

Rashford’s Struggles Under Amorim

Rashford’s last appearance for United came in the Europa League on December 12, when he was substituted during a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen. The England international did not acknowledge Amorim as he left the pitch with his team trailing 1-0 at the time.

Just days later, Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were omitted from the squad for the Manchester derby against City due to concerns over their attitude. While Garnacho has since worked his way back into the team, Rashford expressed his desire for a “new challenge” shortly after his exclusion.

Speaking on Rashford’s exit, Amorim reiterated that he had no regrets about the decision and wished the player success under Villa manager Unai Emery.

“You can interpret this however you wish,” Amorim stated. “What I can say is that I wasn’t able to get Marcus to understand my footballing philosophy or the way I expect players to train. Sometimes, a player thrives under one manager but struggles under another. He is a talented footballer, and I hope he finds success with Villa.”

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Amorim further explained that some players adapted to his methods while others did not, and squad-building decisions were made accordingly.

Amorim Takes Responsibility for Transfers

When questioned about Rashford’s reaction to his style of play, Amorim emphasized that the decision was entirely his own.

“It’s not about a player outright rejecting tactics. It’s something both the coach and the player sense over time,” he said. “This happens with many managers. The key point is that it was my call. The same applies to Tyrell Malacia and Antony’s loan moves—I made those decisions, just as I chose to keep other players despite no new signings.”

Injury Concerns for Luke Shaw

Meanwhile, United face uncertainty regarding Luke Shaw’s fitness. The left-back has not started a match since February 18 last year, featuring only three times this season due to ongoing calf and hamstring issues.

Shaw has now suffered another setback, and Amorim remains unsure of his return date.

“It’s difficult to give a timeline because his current issue is separate from the initial injury,” Amorim explained. “He needs time to recover, rebuild fitness, and avoid aggravating past injuries. Right now, we just want him fully fit to contribute to the team.”

As United push forward without Rashford, Amorim remains focused on building a squad that aligns with his footballing vision while managing key player recoveries.

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