Gary Neville says Manchester United need a midfield fix

"I’ve seen enough of it to think that’s not a midfield that’s dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League," Gary Neville said after Manchester United's draw with Tottenham. The former captain was not just reacting to the result. He was pointing straight at the Youri Tielemans-Kobbie Mainoo pairing, and at the fact that it has been used in five of United’s six league games this season.

United's midfield pairing

United spent over £150million rebuilding their midfield in the summer transfer window, yet Neville thinks the current blend is not giving enough. Tielemans and Mainoo have both made six Premier League appearances, with ratings of 6.96 and 7.16, and Neville’s point is less about one player failing than the two not fitting together.

He said on Metro that they are both good players individually, but sometimes players do not quite knit together. That is a fair read of what United are looking at here, because the pair has already been used repeatedly and Carlos Baleba has still had a delayed start to life in Manchester after the ankle injury he suffered in pre-season with Brighton.

The effort and fixture warning

Neville also widened the criticism beyond the midfield selection. United were twice booed off at Old Trafford, conceded a late equaliser against Tottenham, and are winless in four games in all competitions. He said fans will not accept a lack of effort, adding that United are not running enough and are not showing enough tenacity, determination and fighting spirit.

The run ahead is just as awkward. Neville said United are going to Atletico Madrid and then to Elland Road, while the club’s next three away games are Atletico Madrid, Leeds and Como according to the reports that followed the match. Atletico are second in La Liga, and United go there for a Champions League tie on 13 October. Neville called that a real concern, with the schedule tightening every three days.

United have five points from five Premier League games and sit 12th, so this is not just about one poor draw with Tottenham. The bigger issue is whether this midfield can carry United through the next run, and Neville clearly does not think the current pairing is close to a permanent solution.