Gary Neville insists Man United’s 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth will be a ‘massive positive’ for Ruben Amorim – and reveals what the Red Devils boss is ‘going to have to change’

Gary Neville has claimed that Man United’s 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth will be a ‘massive positive’ for Ruben Amorim.  

Fresh off a dramatic comeback win over Man City and a spirited display against Spurs in the EFL Cup midweek, United produced a dismal performance against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Andoni Iraola’s side dominated proceedings at Old Trafford, with goals from Dean Huijsen and Antoine Semenyo either side of Justin Kluivert penalty securing a comfortable win for the visitors.

Speaking following the game Amorim lamented his side’s ‘nervous’ performance, and insisted they will ‘have to suffer again,’ as he continues his ambitious rebuild.

As part of his rebuild, Amorim has often rotated his selection and offered a number of first-team stars the opportunity to showcase their talents under the new boss.

Now, in the wake of the Bournemouth defeat, Neville suggested that Amorim will have a better understanding of which players he can rely on heading forwards. 

Ruben Amorim’s United produced a dismal performance against Bournemouth on Sunday

The result keeps United in the bottom half of the table at Christmas for the first time since 1989

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville said: ‘I think it’s a massive positive that Ruben Amorim is seeing what he’s got. 

‘In the past, there have been times where you can be kidded into thinking you have got a better group of players, because of decent results and moving up the league. But they are a mile away in every single way.

‘Playing the way Amorim wants to play, with the 3-4-3, he’s going to have to change it. He’s given everyone a try by rotating the team and I do not think there will be many he’s watched and thought, ‘yes, I want you on the bus’.

‘They are all very mediocre, and I don’t know how it’s happened – they are better than what they are showing, let’s be clear. But it’s a pattern.

‘He’s got six months of a beauty parade if you like – which is more of an ugly parade. He’s seeing what Manchester United fans have watched for 10 years, there has got to be a cultural overhaul.

‘It is a real torrid time, there is not a lot to like about performance levels or the way they play. They are all lads trying their best, it’s not a personal assault, but they are not good enough to play for Manchester United, because this club aims to be at the top.

‘It’s quite clear watching these players, they are not good enough’.

Speaking after the game on Sunday, Amorim himself admitted that everyone at United is ‘suffering’ and ‘tired’ of losing. 

Neville insisted it’s been a ‘torrid time’ for Man United amid their poor form in 2024

Amorim consoled his players on the pitch before claiming they are now ‘tired’ of losing

‘In this moment, everything is so hard,’ said Amorim. ‘For a club like Manchester United to lose 3-0 at home, it’s really tough for everybody.

‘The fans are really disappointed and tired. You can feel it in the stadium in the first play. I understand that, but we have to face it. I felt it since the first minute, there’s a lot of anxiety.

‘We want to score but we are too nervous. After that third goal, everyone is suffering in the stadium: the fans, the players, everybody’.

After the final whistle at Old Trafford, fans booed as a fourth loss in six games kept United in the bottom half of the table at Christmas for the first time since 1989.