Gary Neville has claimed a 'ridiculous' decision by under-fire manager Ruben Amorim has undermined confidence from Manchester United players in his system.
Amorim is facing mounting pressure at Man United after their latest defeat, with the Red Devils losing 3-1 against Brentford on Saturday.
The result leaves Man United lying 14th in the Premier League after six matches, with Amorim's side winning two, drawing one and losing three so far this season.
Amorim is still yet to oversee back-to-back league wins at Man United since taking charge last November, while his side have claimed just 34 points in 33 Premier League matches under the 40-year-old.
Despite the Red Devils' continued struggles under his management, Amorim has remained insistent he will not deviate from his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
Former Man United captain Neville admitted he is 'very worried' following the defeat and pinpointed Amorim's turning to Mason Mount as a left wing back when chasing a way back into the game as one that will have damaged faith in the system.
'I felt for the first time, just through instinct, watching it on the television, seeing players' faces and body language, that there might be an element of players really doubting the system and what's going on,' Neville said, speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast.
'There was something that happened in that game that I mentioned on my podcast two or three weeks ago that I said we couldn't see again. I said that Mason Mount ended up at left wing-back.
'There's sticking to your plan and then there's your coach that's got an idea and making sure that he delivers that idea and not flip flopping with his idea with players, which can sometimes undermine what you're trying to achieve.
'But then when you're putting Mason Mount at left wing-back - and he's ended up at left wing-back again at Brentford in the last five minutes to the game - it starts to look awful.'
'You can't put Mason Mount at left wing-back. I'm sorry, it just can't happen. I can't watch Mason Mount play left wing-back in a football team.
'I struggled at times to watch him in his natural position, but actually putting him out there on the left wing, is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.'
The defeat marked another major blow for Man United and Amorim, who had been hoping to build momentum after a 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend.
Coupled with Graham Potter's sacking at West Ham, the defeat saw Amorim become odds on favourite with Betfair at 8/11 to be the next Premier League manager sacked.
Amorim, who previously claimed that even the Pope could not persuade him to change his system, again insisted his favoured tactic was not to blame for their latest defeat.
'It is always the same, when we win it’s not the system, when you lose it’s the system. I think it's more that we play this game like Brentford wants to play this game.
'With long balls, we kick the balls, second balls, and we never settle down in our game. We never play our game.
'We never pushed the opponent, every time they recovered the ball. We suffered two goals like that.
'I think the penalty could change things, but my overall view of the game is that we never settled down, we didn’t have control of the game.'
fapadprsu
0
Why do need a non-EPL manager...go for managers who have proved in PL already...
pythagorasofficial
1
How many coaches have man united sacked, were they all using Amorim system,,,, man united have talkative legends, and may be they are the problem even,,,, because they don't let coaches to do what they know, they want coaches to use their ideas,,,, and they know nothing, big heads for nothing.
That’s how you set your mentality. We’ll keep sacking them until we get it right. Amorim is too stubborn. I don’t have a problem with his formation but it’s just this little basics that he lacks and he’s too stubborn to adjust a little. Only a fool will keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.
voydensy
0
How many coaches have man united sacked, were they all using Amorim system,,,, man united have talkative legends, and may be they are the problem even,,,, because they don't let coaches to do what they know, they want coaches to use their ideas,,,, and they know nothing, big heads for nothing.
Guy, coaches have been given their authority already to show what they know. And what do you see in Ruben Amorim's tactic? Just loosing, and letting our team summoned. For how long do you think this gonna be happening, you'd want to believe when we get relegated? Ah, we're tired of useless ignorant, and stubborn coaches like your current acting one. Let him be given only 2 next games and if no straight win, then sack him.
bamadiotuz
0
you Amorim just change your system please u are a good coach just use 4-2-3-1 it's going to help you
Yozblnprst
0
How many coaches have man united sacked, were they all using Amorim system,,,, man united have talkative legends, and may be they are the problem even,,,, because they don't let coaches to do what they know, they want coaches to use their ideas,,,, and they know nothing, big heads for nothing.
biebcdmrs
0
This Man U legends,they are not like Aguero and Silva,they talk too much,even the small boy Hurzelar,V Compony and Arteta are far better but they dont talk shit but they are the coaches,I think Man U should appoint Gary Naville when they will sack Amorim so we also see him how he will uplift The Great Manchester to show them that thers no football in London,Football is in Manchester and Mersyside.....
MukisaGerald
3
The Manchester United players are the problem now for not the coach because the same system is the one that Crystal Palace is using that won for them F A cup and even defeated Liverpool again and it's really performing, the Manchester United players are not playing as a team and they're not having a winning mentality , a team with a winning mentality can even be two or three goals down but still win the game but for Manchester United players, they don't have that mentality. they're too lazy to play in the premier League
oladipooluwasayo
0
Man U legends are Man U problem. Why can they just keep quiet or manage the team too….
Rohanosuy
1
The fact here is that the players are irresponsible not to know the basics at this professional level. Let’s forget whatever system a little and focus on the poor decisions making on the pitch as well as the positioning. The players cannot even make more than 4 passes without being intercepted. Many times when they are in the final 3rd of the pitch, their decisions are awful. They played more backward passes than forward. How can you be playing with 3 defenders with a highland then your defenders are all in the opposing team half. Imagine someone in the opposing team half and raising their hand for offside. Sorry to say but this is STUPIDITY at the highest level for a professional player. This has nothing to do with the system. In fact, United has changed more than 4 managers with each playing a different system and still nothing work with these players.
Fazbdmpsz
0
amorim should be sacked and go for klopp period no more glory but shame just wait Liverpool is coming to humiliate them another 7-0 .
TanIsRed
1
Subs: Sanne Yoro Dorgu Heaven Mason Ugarte Amad Zirkzee Obi
Bocbenou
1
Rip Amorim sacke out go
KingCarrot
1
definitely the Pope cannot change Amorim mind because Amorim is with Red Devils
Bocbenou
0
Rip Amorim sacke out go
Niccdortu
0
It is actually ridiculous how much time Gary Neville spends as a couch coach since he failed at coaching. Instead of trying to improve as a coach he chose instead to go back to his former club and virtually manage coaches and players there using his influence and status as a club legend. Part of any system working is people involved in it believing that it works. The real problem is Gary Neville abusing his privilege and casting doubt on the system and trying to drive a wedge between the coach and players.
sonbkrtz
2
man utd has broken all their records, they now set the record for keeping a poor coach even when he clearly wants to be sacked, I don't see anyone breaking this record
Luzadkmruz
0
I think Amorim is wanting to get fired. I think he's tired and maybe it's time to call it and let him go.
Team win or lose just see the manager. But I see Amorim is not idea manager,just sucking
Luzadkmruz
0
Lose Sunderland games u must out Amorim,Sunderland can’t win how man united can play the champion leuage?
Bipdeiln
0
not a Man united fan but who on Earth keeps a manager that have no confidence in his players & the players have no confidence in his system
BrintonC
0
I think Amorim is wanting to get fired. I think he's tired and maybe it's time to call it and let him go.
Mitchello2
0
Broken record same comment every week. System or not its still eleven vs eleven the fact they keep loosing should tell you they lack quality players not a system issue
BIGS36
1
settle down keh? it is what it is