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Manchester United experienced another setback as they lost to Manchester City on derby day, with the heat very much turning up on Ruben Amorim as criticism flies in
Manchester United's woeful form persists following their defeat to Manchester City, and Ruben Amorim has been warned that some of his squad members are simply not up to standard.
Pep Guardiola's City demolished their neighbours 3-0 on Sunday courtesy of Phil Foden's header and a brace from Erling Haaland. The Red Devils have managed just one victory this campaign and find themselves languishing in 14th place in the Premier League as the heat intensifies on manager Amorim.
Following the setback, United icon Gary Neville targeted one particular player for criticism. Remarks made by Jose Mourinho during the summer proved prophetic after Amorim's post-match confessions, too, as the Manchester Evening News delivers the latest developments from Old Trafford.
Gary Neville criticises £50m midfielder
Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte struggled to influence proceedings for United against City and was withdrawn after 80 minutes with his team's destiny already determined. The 24-year-old joined from PSG last summer in a deal potentially worth £50million, including various clauses.
Following the defeat, Neville targeted United's central players and insisted that Ugarte, specifically, lacks the quality required to represent the club, regardless of his substantial price tag.
"The midfield is a massive problem, and we've known that. United fans know that," declared the former Red Devils defender on his The Gary Neville Podcast.
"Ugarte and Fernandes today, I think you mentioned it early, about an hour before the game, that Ugarte and Fernandes played in this fixture last year from start to finish, and United won the game, but Ugarte is not good enough."
Jose Mourinho's 'stupid' remark
During his post-match media briefing, Amorim appeared rather defiant when questioned about his reluctance to modify his tactical approach despite the club's clearly disappointing performances. Remarks made by former United manager Mourinho earlier this summer have now re-emerged, with the Portuguese tactician criticising any coach who stubbornly refuses to evolve.
"There are coaches who try things that don't work and fail, but they say, 'I died with my idea.' If you die with your idea, you're stupid. Coaches have to adapt their ideas to what they have," said Mourinho.
Amorim's media conference acknowledgement arguably fits within Mourinho's widely-circulated observation, as he declared: "I won't change my philosophy. If they (the United hierarchy) want it changed, you change the man. I am not going to change my philosophy. I will play my way until I want to change.
"Guys, I understand [the questions] and I accept it is not a record you should have at Man United. But there are a lot of things that you have no idea about what happen in the last months."
Roy Keane calls out Luke Shaw
Amorim and Ugarte weren't the only targets for criticism following the defeat to City. Speaking on Sky Sports, former United midfielder Roy Keane took aim at left-back Luke Shaw over his display after the England international bore some responsibility for Foden's opening goal.
"United are throwing money and if these are brilliant coaches, you are going, 'When are you going to coach these players to make them better?' Because some of the decision-making, it's just all wrong," declared Keane.
"Shaw for the first goal, so Shaw is an international footballer. For him to get caught out like that. I think Shaw has been getting away with murder for years at United. Always injured, never quite fit.
"We make excuses and then he gets a few games under his belt and then he's making decisions like he doesn't even want to tackle people."
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