Former Manchester United legend and pundit, Gary Neville, believes that Manchester United will not secure a top-five finish in the Premier League this season.
Despite their recent 2-1 victory against Brentford, Neville noted that the team struggled for significant portions of the match.
The Red Devils were trailing 1-0 until the 93rd minute when Scott McTominay’s remarkable performance led to him scoring twice in stoppage time, clinching an unexpected victory.
In a recent podcast discussion with Sky Sports, Neville expressed his concerns about the current state of Man United, stating that he doesn’t believe they will secure a top-five finish this season.
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The former player also pointed out that the goalkeeper, Andre Onana, seems unsettled, posing a significant issue for the club throughout the campaign.
“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.”
Man United have encountered a challenging start to the season, suffering six defeats in 11 matches across various competitions.
A couple of these losses can be attributed to goalkeeping mistakes made by Onana. The African star’s performance, particularly his handling, raised concerns during the Brentford match, although McTominay’s heroics spared him embarrassment.
The hope is that United can steer clear of additional setbacks after the October international break. It’s evident that Onana must improve his decision-making and shot-stopping abilities for the team.
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Similar concerns apply to Casemiro, who appeared out of sorts in the midfield during the Brentford match. His early substitution by the manager carried significant weight as a clear message.
United faces a crucial period later this month, with the Manchester derby scheduled for October 29 being a standout fixture.
Additionally, they have a crucial double-header against Copenhagen in the Champions League group stage. These matches are important for United’s hopes of advancing to the round of 16 and must be won to secure that opportunity.
