Manchester United legend Gary Neville has singled out manager Ruben Amorim for significant praise following a breathless 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, describing the second half as "absolute mayhem" but a vast improvement on recent performances.
Neville's Verdict on Amorim's Crucial Change
Speaking on his podcast after the Premier League clash on Monday night, Neville focused on a key tactical shift from the United head coach. With his side trailing 3-2 in a rollercoaster encounter, Amorim abandoned a three-at-the-back system and switched to a more attacking 4-4-2 formation.
Neville emphatically endorsed the decision, stating it was the correct move regardless of the specific system. "He did the right thing and he got the right players on the pitch and looked a massive threat," the former United captain said. This change helped inspire a quick-fire double from Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha to put United back ahead, before a late Bournemouth equaliser.
A Match of Swinging Momentum and Defensive Frailty
The game was a classic of shifting fortunes. United took a 2-1 lead into half-time thanks to goals from Amad and Casemiro, with Neville noting the team's first-half dominance was so complete they registered more shots than any Premier League side this season in that period.
However, Bournemouth fought back after the break through Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier. The frantic nature of the game continued after United's brief resurgence, with Eli Junior Kroupi netting an 84th-minute leveller for a 4-4 final score.
Neville acknowledged the obvious defensive issues that saw United score four yet fail to win, but suggested it was expected given the absentees. "When you think that Martinez came on, but De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez not playing... It doesn't look like a defence that's going to keep clean sheets," he analysed, adding he had predicted United would need to score four to win.
From Bland to Brilliant: A Shift in Fan Sentiment
A central theme of Neville's analysis was the stark contrast between this electrifying display and United's previous, more tepid performances against Everton and West Ham. He admitted being "really critical" after those games due to a lack of urgency.
"It was the complete and utter opposite tonight," he declared. "They played with real intent. Played the ball forwards, always played at full pace." This shift, he argued, was directly felt by the supporters. "There were boos after the Everton and West Ham game, there weren't boos after this game," Neville observed, noting fans stayed to applaud the team.
He concluded by emphasising the importance of entertainment at Old Trafford, stating that while winning is paramount, the performance against Bournemouth delivered the spectacle fans demand. "They've got the entertainment bit right, their performance right, the style right. It's absolutely critical at this football club," Neville said, summing up a night of chaotic but compelling football.
