Pundit says Amorim’s side have got the “performance and style right” even if they need to win more games
Gary Neville says Manchester United showed clear improvement in their dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, insisting he could “live” with the performance even after defensive problems again cost Ruben Amorim’s side at Old Trafford.
United led three times in a breathless Premier League contest but were unable to close the game out, conceding a late equaliser to substitute Eli Junior Kroupi after Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha appeared to have turned the match back in their favour.
Amad Diallo gave United an early lead and Casemiro restored it shortly before half-time after Antoine Semenyo had levelled for Bournemouth. The visitors then stunned Old Trafford early in the second half through Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier, before a frantic final stretch that summed up the evening.
“It was a stunning watch,” Neville said. “I was really critical after the Everton and West Ham games because of just the nature of the performance. I thought it was really bland. This was the complete and utter opposite.”
Neville praised Amorim’s tactical changes during the game, particularly after United fell behind in the second half.
“When United went 3-2 down and Ruben Amorim then went to 4-4-2, he did the right thing,” Neville said. “Forget the system, he did the right thing, he got the right players on the pitch and they looked a massive threat.”
The result means United have not won a home league game since October and they remain sixth in the table, when they had an opportunity to go fifth and keep up the pressure for the Champions League places. But Neville said the attacking progress as a clear positive under Amorim. United have already scored 30 league goals this season, in contrast to last year’s struggles in front of goal.
“The performance and the style were right,” Neville said. “They played with intent, played the ball forward, always at full pace. I can live with that all day long.
Neville was also pleased with the atmosphere inside the stadium and the pleasure that fans got from watching high-end attacking football. Many supporters stayed behind to applaud the team at full-time.
“You come to Old Trafford for entertainment,” Neville said. “Of course you want to win and win trophies, but getting the entertainment bit right, the performance right, the style right, is absolutely critical at this football club.”
