Gary Neville believes Manchester United's draw with Fulham saw the return of "old scars", warning Ruben Amorim that the Red Devils' midfield remains unbalanced.
United went ahead through Rodrigo Muniz's own goal early in the second half at Craven Cottage, but they could not hold out for their first win of the Premier League season as substitute Emile Smith Rowe equalised for Fulham.
United also saw captain Bruno Fernandes fire over from the penalty spot in the first half, his fifth missed spot-kick in the Premier League since his competition debut in 2020. Only Mohamed Salah and Aleksandar Mitrovic have missed as many in that time.
Amorim's Premier League win percentage now stands at just 24.1%, with United only winning seven of his 29 matches at the helm.
That is the same win rate as Neil Warnock achieved in his Premier League career (27 wins, 112 games), having been relegated with both Sheffield United and Cardiff City.
United have also won the fewest points (six) of any ever-present Premier League club since the start of April, with Leicester City earning more in that time despite now playing in the Championship (eight).
And Neville was alarmed by the way Fulham carved through United, accumulating 0.81 expected goals (xG) to United's 0.31 after half-time.
"My optimism has been checked slightly because it felt like there were a couple of old scars reappearing and opening up," Neville said on The Gary Neville Podcast.
"I think the goalkeeper [Altay Bayindir] is still looking very shaky on those crosses from corners, which can't continue because that anxiety builds.
"Then in central midfield, I think United have to do a piece of business now. The two in there do get exposed.
"Those gaps, those acres of space, seem to open up, and I thought United got cut through quite a few times in the second half."
United were linked with a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba earlier in the transfer window, but the Seagulls' asking price of over £100m has proven prohibitive.
United brought new £73.7m striker Benjamin Sesko off the bench again at Craven Cottage, but he did not attempt a shot and only registered one touch in the Fulham area.
"Sesko, at the moment, let's just say it, he's nowhere near in terms of fitness or just getting up to speed," Neville said.
"Ruben Amorim said before the game that there is a clamour to play him. He is going to have to get him in against Grimsby [in the EFL Cup on Wednesday] and give him 90 minutes.
"What you can't do is let a player of that value, that potential, just keep being on the bench."
rombelnrtz
0
I know man United lifes matter but thier fans also lifes matter at least they've to win a match to put 😊 joys on their fans faces
cimdlrtyz
1
Man United will not thrive until they listen to me
cimdlrtyz
0
if you can't even beat Fulham, there is no way forward. get relegated and come back🤩😂🤩😂
Vowdelmptu
0
why this fucker Bruno not leaving united common Ruben amorim sell Bruno Fernandes...
Mehabciopz
1
maino and zirkzee needs to play,,, I tell you, they're better than brunoh
hinceimouz
0
First manager do his job as a coach and then positive result will come
fuaacdekms
1
The strikers and wingers united have in their squad are exceptional but the Amorin ball wouldn't give them glory. The lads are talented but they lack a coach. Sir Alex please could you please take united for 3 months!!! You will get different results.
Foucdiknz
0
not good for Bruno at this time but this premier league 18 assist 13 goal 6 penalty in
captain Bruno Fernandes secnd casimero
Foucdiknz
1
not good for Bruno at this time but this premier league 18 assist 13 goal 6 penalty in
Bapcdeilp
1
it will be the same as last season if the coach is still there his system and style of play maybe be good in Portugal but in England it will be a flop
zibclnoty
0
Bruno should go to Saudi Arabia and let Marino play. He is just 20 . Imagine him 5 years from now. Wow
hen2020
0
In all do add line do lined them all line, in a open hole do line back turn do line it doing out storage line do line there do line .
jiwakmprsy
2
The English clawns don't see the problem is the coach and not the players.
makalnsz
0
he kicked penalty to Saudi Arabia
makalnsz
1
he was thinking about Saudi Arabia
Rizzy4k
2
new season same united🤣💀
wuwaclmnty
1
2027 ishalaha riyalmadirid
wuwaclmnty
0
waxan kubirayay riyalmadrid ishlaha ka jaamac xariir jaamac
yudbclryz
2
i think bruno Fernandez needs to be sold he is a good player but age is going to catch up sell him and buy a quality replacement for that price
wuwaclmnty
2
youngfarmer_10
2
Leave the football before football leaves you .
Niccdortu
4
MU will never return to glory days as long as people like Gary Neville are still alive and weaponize their platforms for character assassinations of coaches contracted at the club constantly. The attitudes of players like Rashford, Sancho, Garnacho harden like criminals when everyday they wake up they find articles or videos of former players criticizing everything their coach is doing. Imagine then a scenario where a player is reprimanded by the same coach over something wrong they did and they remember Neville, Scholes, Rio or Keane said this guy is clueless and instead of taking the criticism constructively the player is emboldened. Even when they don't give 100% in training the same Nevilles will go the the media to embarrass the coach. It doesn't happen at Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and that's why they are where they are and MU is where it is. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Neville's coaching career lasted 6 months in Spain and he still has nightmares yet it was a long time ago but he has the nerve to remote control every coach that cones to United.
Gunnerneko
3
Before they went to ManU the goals there but as soon as they see Bruno Penaldez he said to them no one must score more than me ok this is the same thing I told Anthony Zirskee and Rusmus