Gary Neville, never one to mince his words, delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United’s midfield set-up during their clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The former United captain, now a prominent pundit, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the team’s structure, particularly focusing on the alarming gaps in midfield and the body language of current skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking during the first half of the match, Neville highlighted the glaring disconnect between Casemiro and Fernandes, describing the setup as “absolute madness” and a tactical failure that “breaks all the rules in football.”
“Look at where Casemiro is and look at where Bruno Fernandes is,” Neville exclaimed. “That cannot be right. It’s madness. United may score goals today, but the structure of the team is awful. The gaps in that midfield between Casemiro and Fernandes are staggering. That’s a tactic – Fernandes has been asked to come out to this side, but it isn’t right.”
Neville’s frustration was palpable as he dissected United’s midfield woes. He pointed out that Casemiro, a player who has been a linchpin for United since his arrival, was left isolated and exposed due to the lack of support from his teammates.
“He’s struggling,” Neville said of Casemiro. “He’s getting on in his years, and to have him out there is tough enough in itself, but to leave him on his own? Look where Bruno is now – that’s supposed to be a central midfield partner. Look at the space they can play through to Maddison or [Dejan] Kulusevski. It’s a disaster.”
The tactical disarray Neville described was evident on the pitch as Tottenham capitalised on United’s disjointed midfield. James Maddison handed Spurs an early lead after Andre Onana parried a shot straight into his path, allowing the England international to tap home with ease. United’s midfield, stretched and disorganised, failed to provide the necessary cover or control, leaving the backline vulnerable to Tottenham’s incisive attacks.
Alejandro Garnacho came closest to equalising for United in the first half, but his close-range effort sailed over the crossbar, summing up a frustrating afternoon for Erik ten Hag’s side. The lack of cohesion in midfield was a recurring theme throughout the match, with United struggling to maintain any semblance of control or rhythm.
Neville’s critique extended beyond the tactical setup, as he also took aim at Fernandes’ body language during the first half. The Portuguese midfielder, often lauded for his passion and work rate, appeared visibly frustrated as United’s game plan unravelled. Neville’s comments suggested that Fernandes’ demeanour reflected the broader issues within the team – a lack of unity and direction.
“The body language of Bruno Fernandes tells you everything,” Neville said. “He’s out there trying to make things happen, but the system is working against him. When your captain looks that frustrated, you know something is seriously wrong.”
The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ten Hag as he looks to rebuild United into a cohesive, competitive unit. The midfield, often described as the engine room of any successful team, was anything but that on Sunday. Casemiro, a player renowned for his ability to break up play and dictate tempo, was left chasing shadows as Tottenham’s dynamic duo of Maddison and Yves Bissouma dominated the centre of the park.
Neville’s analysis will undoubtedly resonate with United fans, many of whom have grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s inconsistent performances. The lack of balance in midfield, coupled with Fernandes’ tactical indiscipline, has been a recurring issue this season, and Sunday’s defeat only served to highlight the scale of the problem.
As United look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, Amorim will need to address these tactical shortcomings if he is to restore confidence both on and off the pitch. The midfield conundrum, as highlighted by Neville, is just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a crucial one that could define United’s season.
For now, the Red Devils must lick their wounds and learn from their mistakes. As Neville so aptly put it, “absolute madness” cannot be allowed to become the norm at Old Trafford.
