Manchester United played out a thrilling 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, with both sides battling hard but ultimately unable to find a winner.
Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead in the first half with a stunning free-kick, lifting the home crowd and putting the Red Devils in a strong position going into the break.
However, Arsenal responded in the second half through Declan Rice.
The Englishman netted the equaliser to ensure Mikel Arteta’s side left Old Trafford with a share of the points.
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Despite some late drama, neither side could break the deadlock again.
Despite earning a draw against one of the league’s top sides, it is clear this is not how Ruben Amorim wants his team to play.
His vision for United is one of front-foot, high-intensity football.
However once again, they were forced to sit deep and play on the counter in a big game.
Former United captain Gary Neville believes drastic changes are needed at Old Trafford to implement Amorim’s preferred style.
The United legend warned that the current squad is not fit for purpose.
Gary Neville stunned by ‘lack of pace’
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville highlighted the glaring issues within United’s squad.
Particularly their lack of speed across the pitch.
“I think they’ll back him. I think that they’ll back him in the summer, they’ll give him money and [the] chance to alter this squad,” Neville said.
“He is positive, he’s got nothing to lose by being positive.
“Managers over the years have tried to defend players here and not call them out.
“You talk about what we say here in this studio but he delivered the harshest line on this squad.
“He said they’re the worst team in Manchester United’s history.
“I think it genuinely could be, it’s a really poor squad.
“Obviously, it’s been expensively recruited over the last few years but it needs ripping up.”
Neville pointed to the lack of speed across midfield and attack as a major issue, making it impossible for United to play the expansive football Amorim wants to implement.
“The lack of pace in midfield and attack, and in wing-back areas, is unbelievable,” he continued.
“It’s a really poor squad, it needs ripping up.”
Gary Neville on what he believes has to change at Manchester United 💬 pic.twitter.com/E6MiKnUuWY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
“You’ve got [Joshua] Zirkzee, [Alejandro] Garnacho and [Christian] Eriksen, Casemiro and Fernandes in midfield who aren’t the quickest.
“And you’ve got two full-backs at wing-back who can’t create up top.
“His attacking options to score goals are absolutely none. [Rasmus] Hojlund, he’s living off less than scraps.”
Gary Neville also referenced previous United managers who have struggled to break out of a defensive setup, despite arriving with an attacking philosophy.
“The only manager in the last 10 years who’s been able to play on the front foot successfully is [Louis] Van Gaal.
“The rest of them have come in with fantastic ambition to be a front-foot team, a pressing team, but they’ve ended up at the back of their own box.
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“Amorim, [Erik] ten Hag, Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], [Jose] Mourinho, [David] Moyes – always ended up back at the edge of their own box.
“That has got to change.”
United will need to be active in the transfer market to overhaul the squad.
However sales will be just as important as signings.
Several first-team players could be moved on to free up funds for Amorim’s rebuild.
The club will aim to finally construct a team capable of competing at the highest level.
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