An “average” Manchester United side, a midfielder who “looks like he’s never been coached,” and Ruben Amorin on a “wing and a prayer,” according to one pundit.
That was the harsh verdict of one Premier League pundit in the wake of Man Utd’s exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday Night Football.
Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Matheus Cunha found the net during a breathless evening at Old Trafford. But familiar defensive issues plagued the home side, as Bournemouth came from behind three times.
Despite eight goals and constant goalmouth action, Kobbie Mainoo garnered one of the biggest cheers of the night as he replaced Casemiro.
Graham Souness was lacking the same enthusiasm for the England midfielder and Man Utd in general, saying, “It looks like he’s never been coached to play central midfield when you don’t have the ball.”
No top four for Man Utd
The former Liverpool midfielder did not see the result as a step forward for Ruben Amorim’s side. Instead, he questioned whether Manchester United are capable of sustaining a genuine push for Champions League qualification.
“They’re still average,” he said. “Is it Ruben Amorim’s fault? Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are good players, but the rest of them are an average lot. I don’t see them getting to the top four, which they have to do.”
He added that the uncertainty surrounding United’s performances is one of the biggest challenges facing the head coach.
“What Ruben Amorim’s got with that group of players is he doesn’t know what he’s going to get from them,” he said. “That’s not a good place to be. You’re sitting there with a wing and a prayer, wondering what you’re going to get today.”
The criticism extended to United’s midfield options, where he argued the club weakened itself by allowing Scott McTominay to leave.
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McTominay better than Mainoo
“They sold the best one,” he said. “McTominay was better than those two. Casemiro is an ordinary Joe, a very steady player. I said that when they signed him and I still see him that way now.”
While Bruno Fernandes was described as United’s most talented player, doubts remained over balance in midfield.
“He’s their go-to man,” he said. “He’s easily their most talented player, but he has shortcomings. I still don’t like him waving his arms and telling other people what to do all the time.”
The strongest criticism, however, was reserved for Kobbie Mainoo. His introduction was warmly received by the Old Trafford crowd, but not by the former Scotland international.
“He’s an off-the-cuff player,” he said. “Better on the ball, possibly, than others, but he doesn’t understand that central midfield position.”
He added: “When you don’t have the ball, he’s never where he should be. It looks like he’s never been coached to play as a central midfield player when you’re out of possession.”
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