Gary Neville has delivered a damning assessment of Manchester United's performance, accusing the entire squad of lacking intensity and fight during their disappointing 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham United on Thursday evening.
Neville's Scathing Verdict on United's Display
The former Manchester United defender and prominent Sky Sports pundit watched on as Ruben Amorim's side failed to capitalise on a favourable run of fixtures. United took the lead in the second half at Old Trafford through Diogo Dalot, but a late equaliser from West Ham's Soungoutou Magassa meant the points were shared.
Neville, in a review posted on The Gary Neville Podcast, was highly critical of the team's overall application. He highlighted a distinct lack of drive and urgency, particularly when chasing a winning goal after West Ham had levelled the match.
Fernandes Stands Alone in Receiving Praise
In his analysis, Neville made a stark exception to his criticism: club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder was singled out as the only player who demonstrated the necessary fight, impetus, and willingness to take risks in search of a decisive goal.
"He deemed Fernandes the only player who showed real fight and any impetus to push forward, take risks and search for the all-important winner," the report stated, summarising Neville's pointed comments.
A Missed Opportunity in the Premier League
The draw represents a significant missed opportunity for Manchester United. With rivals dropping points, the club has managed to secure just four points from a possible nine in recent weeks, failing to climb the Premier League table as a result.
Their run of ostensibly kinder fixtures continues this weekend with an away trip to face a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers side. However, Neville's comments underscore a growing concern about the team's mentality and consistency under pressure, with the performance against West Ham serving as a prime example.
The 1-1 result leaves manager Ruben Amorim with much to ponder, as he seeks to instil a greater level of intensity and resilience throughout his squad for the challenges ahead in the Premier League season.
