-Credit:Sky Sports.
Former captain Gary Neville felt Manchester United’s starting line-up for Monday night’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at Old Trafford lacked balance, bemoaning some of Ruben Amorim’s selection choices.
Amorim made four changes for the visit of the Magpies, two of which were enforced because of suspension-related issues, bringing Matthijs de Ligt, Christian Eriksen, Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro into the starting XI.
Eriksen and Casemiro partnered each other in midfield, replacing Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, who was serving a one-match ban, while Zirkzee started in place of Bruno Fernandes, who was also banned.
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes ruthless decision at Manchester United as next staff member ‘sacked’
READ MORE: Shocking and out of order – Joshua Zirkzee response given after brutal Man United reaction
The Dutchman, who was jeered by United fans as he was substituted in the first half, started as one of the two No.10s, supporting Rasmus Hojlund and Amad in attack. The latter’s fourth consecutive Premier League start in the forward line meant Noussair Mazraoui started at right wing-back.
And in the opinion of Neville, Amorim’s decision to start with two full-backs in the wing-back roles was costly, likewise the call to start Zirkzee as one of the two No.10s.
“I think we knew a lot of what we actually saw on the pitch was going to happen,” Neville told Sky Sports. “I mean, Casemiro and Eriksen in midfield.
“Jamie Carragher had done a piece in the studio about Mazraoui and [Diogo] Dalot playing wing-backs and being more defensive. And that wouldn’t lead to goals, which is exactly what happened.
“I asked Ruben Amorim before the game, the idea of Zirkzee in that sort of left pocket, that’s not a left pocket that you stay in. That’s a left pocket that means that you have to go and pick up the right back for Newcastle when he goes forward. That’s a left pocket that means you have to make runs through. So it’s not really, and when he said that he wasn’t really a No.9, and that’s where he saw him playing, I was surprised.
“I didn’t see any balance in the team selection. So I think that whilst I was a little nervous about Manchester United doing well in this game tonight before I saw the teamsheet, once I saw the teamsheet I was pretty sure that it would be a struggle.
“I think a lot of what we saw we expected, it was a grim night.”