October 11
Will the Red Devils wake up?
Manchester United legend Gary Neville accused his former team's players of lacking effort and fighting spirit after their draw against Tottenham, warning that they could suffer a heavy defeat against Atletico Madrid midweek if they don't raise their game quickly.
The Red Devils were booed twice at Old Trafford on Saturday evening after conceding a late equalizer against 10-man Tottenham, extending their winless run to four matches in all competitions.
Neville believes the team is suffering from a lack of fighting spirit, and fans have already begun questioning the players' willingness to run and exert themselves, after Youri Tielemans indicated they hadn't worked much on this aspect of the game during preseason.
With Manchester United players recording poor running figures since the start of the season, questions about the team's performance are mounting, prompting Neville to level further criticism at the players.
"What Manchester United fans won't accept is what they perceive as a lack of effort," Neville said on his podcast. "The reality is that the players aren't running enough, and they aren't showing the necessary intensity, determination, and fighting spirit. The boos tell you they're very frustrated with what they're seeing."
He added, "What we're seeing right now is a team that seems to be shrinking in on itself, and the club has become too big for some players to handle the pressure at the moment."
He continued: "If Carrick shakes his head, it means he's wondering: Are these players putting in the effort for me? What's going on with this group? Have they lost their confidence? Is their focus waning? Are they starting to fall apart? What's happening? Because these aren't the players I was working with last season."
Manchester United are preparing to face Atlético Madrid midweek in the Champions League, a tough test awaiting them at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, despite winning their opening league match.
Atlético Madrid are currently second in La Liga and also defeated Real Madrid in the Madrid derby last week before the international break.
Meanwhile, some elements within the Manchester United squad are causing concern, particularly in midfield, something Neville believes needs to be addressed.
Neville said: "Regarding Youri Tielemans and Kobe Maino, I think we've seen enough of that pair so far. I'm not saying it should end, because that would be a very hasty decision, but I've seen enough to think that they don't have the necessary dynamism to play for this club in the Premier League. They are both good players individually, but some of them don't gel well together, and their characteristics don't complement each other."
He explained: "When Carlos Baleba played alongside Maino, the team looked more dynamic, but a change in midfield is necessary, and the rest of the squad needs to find their balance and take the situation seriously."
He added: "The team faces Atlético Madrid, then travels to Elland Road, and if the players aren't at their best mentally and physically, their weaknesses will be exposed. If they don't start improving, the next few weeks will be worrying."
Neville spoke about the apparent lack of effort from Manchester United's players, saying: "It's a real concern, especially with a demanding schedule of playing every three days, and the Champions League adding to the pressure."
He continued: "The team has tough games ahead, and every upcoming match will require a strong character and a clear competitive edge. They need a group of players who can withstand the pressure and handle it. Right now, we're worried about their ability to navigate this run of games and come out of it in top form."
He concluded: "The three-week break was supposed to be a chance to regroup, but it's very difficult to understand how the team can perform like this for the first 20 minutes."
