Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd: Gary Neville thinks United should aim for top six – making next few weeks huge for Ruben Amorim | Football news
Gary Neville says the next few weeks are “crucial” for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United era – and believes they should be able to break into the top six after a dramatic win over Liverpool at Anfield.
United moved up to ninth in the table following Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute winner against arch-rivals Liverpool, after Cody Gakpo canceled out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener in the 61st second.
The win gave Amorim back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in his reign at Old Trafford, but Neville believes United must be in their next match – a Saturday Night Football clash at home to Brighton next weekend, live on Sky Sports.
“It’s a completely reversed game,” Neville said of the win against Liverpool. Gary Neville Podcast.
“I thought if United lost here, which they were more than likely to do when I saw the team sheet, I think Ruben Amorim will go into this Brighton game under real pressure with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham coming up.
“They have a springboard because of what they have done, because winning at Anfield is special in any season, winning here is the hardest ground. They should be really proud because it’s a big achievement, but they have to start from now.
“So it’s a big day for Manchester United, but let’s see it again next Saturday night against Brighton.”
Neville cited the recent defeat at Brentford in September as a prime example for United to avoid. Amorim’s side had just beaten Chelsea at home in an important game to kick off their season – but a defeat to the Bees a week later put United back where they started.
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Manchester United lost at Brentford a week after a big victory against Chelsea
“What can’t happen is now we’ve reached this peak of performance, and all of a sudden Brighton end up being down,” Neville said. “So the next few weeks will be huge, I think, for Ruben Amorim to start building.
“Amorim has to start trusting these players. I know we are talking about trusting Ruben Amorim and he is under pressure, and that will always be the case with the coach, but Ruben Amorim wants to be able to trust his players.
“I know he loves them, and I know the players love him, you can see that. There’s no type of player who loses the dressing room style, which we’ve seen with United many times.
“There is no doubt that these players look up to their coach, they like him as a person, but they have to start trusting themselves, trusting the system if you are the players, but also trusting Ruben Amorim, trusting his players so that they can deliver consistent performances.
“I’m just looking towards next week now. Enjoy tonight because it’s one of the biggest moments you can experience as a United player, winning at Anfield, and that rarely happens, so enjoy it tonight.
“But honestly, guys, you’ve got to get back to it tomorrow morning, you’ve got to turn it on and focus, because next Saturday you’ll be hitting where you don’t want it to hit you, if you’re not at your best.
“Brighton are a good team, so really start focusing really hard on that in everything you do this week.”
Saturday October 25 at 5:00 p.m.
Kick-off at 5:30 p.m.
‘I think Man Utd have a top six team’
Neville believes United’s side are capable of finishing in the top six – not only due to the quality of their squad, but also the lack of European football which gives them free weeks of training all season.
“They’ve only just moved up to the top half of the table, to ninth, and I think if they win next week they need to start thinking about progressing in the league,” Neville said.
“Because they need to get to a point where there is stability within the club, the only way to do that is to win football matches.
Manchester United players celebrate their victory against Liverpool
“I think Manchester United have a top-six team, especially when you know they don’t have European football, and they don’t have the Carabao Cup now.
“If you look at the four or five players they have in front of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes behind them. And then the central defenders they have – Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, they should be able to get into the top six with this team’s free weeks.”
Amorim: I’m worried about Brighton
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Ruben Amorim suggested the 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League was his biggest victory since joining Manchester United and hopes it can help instill some confidence in his team.
Amorim admitted he would not dwell or celebrate too much on the victory, with the Portuguese fully aware of the importance the Brighton game will bring next weekend.
“Now I worry about Brighton,” he told Sky Sports in his post-match interview. “Yeah, because I have a year of experience. I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m not stupid, I have to do it. But let’s focus on Brighton.
“He [victory over Liverpool] that doesn’t mean much. This means [a lot] Today. But tomorrow it won’t mean much. It’s three points but it’s a great victory.
“It will give us more confidence going into the week. It will be a lot of pleasure for our fans who deserve it after Grimsby and Brentford. Having a win like this is really important. It’s in our hands. This game is in the past, let’s focus on the future.”
Watch Man Utd v Brighton live on Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Football next weekend from 5pm; kick-off at 5:30 p.m.
