When Ruben Amorim joined Manchester United following the departure of Erik ten Hag, optimism swept through Old Trafford, despite the turmoil experienced since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite an inconsistent start under the Portuguese coach, the Old Trafford faithful were positive ahead of the 2025/26 season, with the arrival of Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbuemo. A recent win over Chelsea lifted spirits, but the most recent defeat to Brentford has left criticism raining around Amorim. Red Devils’ legend Gary Neville recently spoke on his own podcast, slamming the Portuguese coach for his tactical decisions.
Manchester United’s Struggles Under Ruben Amorim
Optimism Turns to Concern After Brentford Defeat
Manchester United currently lies 14th in the league, having been brushed aside 3-1 by Brentford. The Bees started fast and rode their luck at times, but thoroughly deserved the three points.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville said: “I’m very worried.”
Assessing the Brentford defeat and looking back at the Chelsea win, Neville said:
“The performance that we saw and the result at Brentford means that you feel the Chelsea game was skewed by the sending off. You start to look at the Chelsea win less positively. That’s just football.
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“I think there are a lot of United fans coming out of that ground last Saturday, including me, thinking Brentford away, Sunderland at home next week has a real opportunity to get nine points on the board, on the bounce, and then you’ll be well up in the top six or eight.
“But the Brentford game was a really poor performance and a real worry.”
“I felt for the first time, just through instinct, watching it on the television, seeing players’ faces and body language, that there might be an element of players really doubting the system and what’s going on,” added Neville.
Neville Addresses Mason Mount at Left Back
Revealing his horror and confusion over Amorim’s decision to play Mount at left back, Neville said:
“There was something that happened in that game that I mentioned on my podcast two or three weeks ago that I said we couldn’t see again. I said that Mason Mount ended up at left wing-back.
“There’s sticking to your plan and then there’s your coach that’s got an idea and making sure that he delivers that idea and not flip flopping with his idea with players, which can sometimes undermine what you’re trying to achieve.
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“But then when you’re putting Mason Mount at left wing-back – and he’s ended up at left wing-back again at Brentford in the last five minutes to the game – it starts to look awful.”
“You can’t put Mason Mount at left wing-back. I’m sorry, it just can’t happen. I can’t watch Mason Mount play left wing-back in a football team.
“I struggled at times to watch him in his natural position, but actually putting him out there on the left wing, is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous,” exclaimed Neville.
