Manchester United: Neville calls for end to ‘experiments’ after Amorim sacking
The former United defender wants the club to go back to its values.
Gary Neville called on Manchester United to stop the “experiments” after Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties on Monday.
Amorim was sacked after 14 months in charge, his last game at the helm Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds United. He oversaw the bulk of the worst season in the club’s Premier League history after taking over from Erik ten Hag, finishing 15th while losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
United have improved this season, and sit sixth in the Premier League table, three points outside the top four.
However, the Portuguese reportedly had a hostile meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox on Friday, with Amorim said to have responded negatively to criticism of his approach in a 1-1 draw with bottom club Wolves.
Amorim subsequently indicated he would not receive the financial backing required for his much-criticised 3-4-3 system to work and, following the stalemate at Elland Road, he emphatically stated his desire to work as the United manager, not the head coach. In addition, Amorim made clear his willingness to leave at the end of his contract in 18 months’ time.
Those proved to be his final comments as United boss, with the club expected to appoint an interim coach until the end of the season before finding a permanent replacement.
Neville: Manchester United shouldn’t change for anybody
Former United right-back Neville believes the successor needs to be a coach who fits the club’s traditional “DNA”.
“Louis van Gaal had his own philosophy. Jose Mourinho plays a certain style of football. So does David Moyes. Erik ten Hag, again, a very different style of football – different to what Man United ordinarily would play,” Neville told Sky Sports News.
“Ruben Amorim, a very different style of football than Man United would ordinarily expect.
“The experiments have got to stop.
“There is a very good video online where Bobby Charlton talks about what Man United is as a football club. Adventurous, exciting football, playing young players, entertaining the crowd. Man United must take risks and be courageous in playing attacking football.
“Man United have got to appoint a manager that fits the DNA of their club. Ajax will never change for anybody, Barcelona will never change for anybody. I don’t believe Man United should change for anybody.
“You can’t say these managers are not good coaches but they’ve all come in with different ideas, different styles of play, different philosophies and none of them really fit the Man United way.
“The club have to find a manager now who’s got experience, who’s willing to play fast, entertaining, attacking, aggressive football.”
Darren Fletcher will take charge for Wednesday’s trip to Burnley, with Neville unsure about how United’s season will pan out under an interim boss, regardless of whether that person is Fletcher or an appointment from an outside the club.
“Manchester United appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a short-term contract and it went really well,” Neville added. “It was a big boost for the club. They then appointed Ralf Rangnick on a short-term contract and it was an absolute disaster, so we’ve experienced both things.”