Gary Neville has suggested that Manchester United's defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday is actually a “massive positive” for new manager Ruben Amorim.
United had the majority of possession and amassed a higher xG (2.24) during the game, compared to Bournemouth (1.24), with more shots on goal and three times as many touches in the opposition area, but failed to score and conceded three times.
It means Amorim has won just four of his opening nine games since taking charge a month ago, with four of the last six against Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur (Carabao Cup) and Bournemouth ending in defeat. United lost 3-0 against Spurs before conceding two goals.
An impassioned Neville, talking about his former club self-titled Sky Sports podcastsaid that the progress of the results is actually underlining to Amorim where the shortages are and what needs to change.
“I think it's a massive positive that Ruben Amorim is seeing what he has,” Neville said. “In the past, there were times when you could joke that you had a better group of players, because of good results and going up the league. But they are a mile apart either way.
“Playing the way Amorimi wants to play, with the 3-4-3, he's going to have to change that. He's given everyone a try by rotating the team and I don't think there will be much he's seen and has thought, 'yes'. , I love you on the bus' They are all very mediocre, and I don't know how it happened – they are better than what they are showing, but it is a consistent pattern.
“It's a huge positive that Ruben Amorim has an opportunity to see these players in the cold light of day. He has six months of beauty parade if you like – which is more of an ugly parade. He is seeing what they have Manchester United fans have watched for ten years, there must be a cultural renewal.
“It's a real tough time, there's not much to like about the performance levels or the way they're playing. They're all lads doing their best, it's not a personal attack, but they are not good enough to play for him. Manchester Unitedbecause this club aims to be at the top.
“It's pretty clear looking at these players, they're not good enough.”
United are next in action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, with the hosts in the drop zone but coming off the back of a 3-0 win away to fellow strugglers Leicester City.