Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Gary Neville has said that the Red Devils won’t even finish in the top five of the Premier League this season.
The club returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Brentford, but they looked destined to lose for vast parts of the encounter.
United were losing 1-0 heading into the 93rd minute before Scott McTominay’s heroics. The Scot scored twice in stoppage time to secure an unlikely win.
Speaking on his podcast, Neville has now said that the Red Devils are way off it at the moment and he does not feel they will finish in the top five this term.
The United legend added that the goalkeeper Andre Onana is not settled in and that does create a ‘big problem’ for the club over the entire campaign.
He said: “I don’t think Manchester United will finish in the top five this season. I just don’t. They’re way off it, and I’m surprised. Seven or eight weeks ago, I had them third.”
“But honestly from what I see at the moment, I don’t think the goalkeeper is settled in, I think he should have saved the one yesterday so that is a problem.”
“If your goalkeeper is not settled in and there is a bit of instability around that, it does create a big problem. I’ve had that at United. So United, not for me.”
United need more consistency after the international break
United have had a difficult start to the season with six defeats from 11 games in all competitions.
Out of those, a couple have come on the back of goalkeeping errors from Onana.
His handling was also on question at Brentford, but his blushes were saved by McTominay.
Hopefully, United can avoid further setbacks following the October international break.
Onana definitely needs to step up with his decision-making and shot-stopping.
The same can be said about Casemiro, who looked lost in midfield versus Brentford.
He was substituted at the break and it was a huge statement from the manager.
The Red Devils have a crucial spell coming up later this month. The Manchester derby on October 29 will be one to watch out for.
United also have a double header against Copenhagen in the Champions League group stage. Both are must win games to have any chance of qualifying for the round of 16 phase.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
