Liverpool legend and pundit Graeme Souness has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United, labelling them an 'average' team with no hope of securing a top-four Premier League finish this season.
Souness's damning verdict on United's prospects
The criticism follows United's chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday evening, a result which meant they dropped points for a third consecutive home league game. Despite leading three times in the match, Ruben Amorim's side failed to secure a victory, leaving them stuck in sixth place and unable to capitalise on rivals' results.
Speaking to Sky Bet, Souness was unequivocal about their chances. '[Manchester United] are still average,' he stated. 'Is it Ruben Amorim's fault? Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are good players, but the rest of them are an average lot, and I don't see them getting to the top four, which they have to do.'
He emphasised the financial and sporting necessity of Champions League football for a club of United's stature, highlighting its importance for attracting top-tier talent.
The problem of unpredictability under Amorim
Souness pinpointed a fundamental issue plaguing the Portuguese manager: a complete lack of consistency from his squad. Despite a £214 million summer investment on attackers Mbeumo, Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, the team's performance levels remain wildly erratic.
'What Ruben Amorim's got with that group of players is he doesn't know what he's going to get from them,' Souness explained. 'He doesn't know what Manchester United he's going to get, and that's not a good place to be. You're sitting there with a wing and a prayer.'
He described the manager's dilemma of trying to gauge his players' readiness before a match, only for them to deliver the opposite on the pitch, labelling this unpredictability as the core problem at Old Trafford.
Midfield muddle and a surprising McTominay claim
The analysis then turned to United's midfield, an area of ongoing concern. While praising Bruno Fernandes as an 'outstanding creator' and the team's 'go-to man', Souness was critical of other options. He reiterated his long-held view that Casemiro is an 'ordinary Joe', despite his high wages.
In a controversial take, Souness claimed United's biggest error was selling academy graduate Scott McTominay, who joined Napoli for £25 million in the summer of 2024. 'They sold the best one – Scott McTominay. He was better than those two [Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte], and he's just grown in his job since he's been at Napoli,' he asserted.
Disagreement with United legends over Mainoo
Souness also weighed in on the debate surrounding young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has managed just over 200 Premier League minutes this season. Recent criticism from club icons like Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, who claimed the 'kid is being ruined', has put Amorim under pressure.
However, Souness firmly disagrees with Scholes's assessment. 'I'm not a fan [of Kobbie Mainoo] and I'd have to disagree with Paul on this,' he said. He compared Mainoo unfavourably to Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, stating Mainoo lacks positional understanding without the ball.
'If Paul Scholes were to have played against Mainoo, he would've had him on toast because he would never be where he should have been when Man United are out of possession,' Souness concluded, suggesting the 20-year-old appears uncoached in the defensive aspects of his role.
