Gary Neville Criticizes Man Utd's Midfield Struggles in Draw with Fulham

Manchester United faced renewed criticism from football analyst Gary Neville following their 1-1 draw with Fulham on Super Sunday, as the match exposed persistent vulnerabilities in their midfield and highlighted the need for urgent reinforcements. Neville, speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, suggested the team's inability to close gaps and maintain defensive stability mirrored past struggles, emphasizing that the performance "reopened old wounds" and underscored the urgency of addressing midfield短板 before the transfer window shuts.

The stalemate at Craven Cottage came after a contentious own goal by Rodrigo Muniz was canceled out by Emile Smith Rowe's late equalizer. While new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo showed promise in the opening weekend at Old Trafford, Neville argued that manager Ruben Amorim's tactical choices—persisting with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in central midfield—left the team exposed. Fernandes’ missed penalty, compounded by a collision with referee Chris Kavanagh, further fueled Neville’s concerns about the duo’s effectiveness.

Neville also took issue with Amorim’s substitution strategy, noting that Benjamin Sesko’s early introduction in the second half failed to make an impact. The £73.7m signing from RB Leipzig, who had been on the bench against Arsenal, was described by Neville as "nowhere near" fit, with the analyst calling for more playing time to help him regain match readiness. "You can’t let a player of that value keep sitting on the sidelines," Neville stressed, urging Amorim to prioritize Sesko’s development in upcoming fixtures.

Amorim’s decision to bring Mason Mount into midfield and replace Casemiro, Neville argued, created "acres of space" for Fulham to exploit. The pundit warned that without a strategic midfield upgrade, United’s defensive frailties would persist, threatening their chances in the Premier League campaign. As the window closes, Neville’s comments add pressure on the club to address these shortcomings swiftly.

Key takeaways from the match include the continued uncertainty surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s role, with Neville stating the young midfielder "hasn’t been given the chance" to assert himself under Amorim. The analyst’s focus on midfield depth aligns with broader discussions about United’s need to strengthen their core to compete in a demanding season.