Neville says Amorim could be in ‘big trouble’ if United slump again against Chelsea

Gary Neville has warned that Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is already under serious pressure following his side’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday’s derby.

United’s latest loss leaves them in the bottom half of the Premier League table with just four points from their opening four games – the club’s worst start to a top-flight season in 33 years. The mood around Old Trafford is bleak, with supporters and pundits alike questioning whether Amorim’s project is falling apart before it has even begun.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said that while United require stability, the constant tinkering with systems and lack of cohesion on the pitch has created a dangerous situation for Amorim. “I think there will be some pressure applied to the manager and his rigidity of sticking with the system,” Neville said. “This has been a nothing of a performance. United have just been beaten – I feel nothing, which is even worse than frustration or anger.”

The defeat to City follows a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town, ensuring United will play fewer matches this season than ever before. Neville believes that Saturday’s clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford could be pivotal for Amorim’s future. “With Chelsea next week, another defeat and big questions would start to be asked,” he warned.

Neville argued that the club cannot afford to linger near the relegation places going into October. “We can’t be getting into October where Man Utd are 14th or 15th in the league otherwise the manager will be in trouble. They have to start winning quickly. Next week if they lose, they would go to 15th and 16th. Before you know it you’re in October and they’re in the bottom half of the table. And that’s where they can’t be, having spent £200m and giving him a pre-season.”

United’s problems are not just about results, Neville said, but also about identity. “They struggled against Burnley at home, against Fulham in large parts of the game, at Grimsby, they struggled here today, they’re struggling to find rhythm, to find tempo, to find performance levels,” he explained. “I’m worried about the manager, I’m worried about what’s going to happen in this next few weeks. I don’t think it’s a time for panic, but I’ve seen this before, we’ve seen this film.”

The statistics are damning. Since Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford, United have collected just 31 points from 31 Premier League matches – the worst record of any ever-present club in that period. Even Tottenham, who finished 17th last season, have climbed above them into 16th.

Amorim, appointed after Erik ten Hag’s sacking, was backed heavily in the transfer market and given a full pre-season. Yet his tenure so far has been plagued by inconsistency, tactical confusion and a lack of intensity. His decision to drop goalkeeper Andre Onana, followed by a shaky introduction for Altay Bayindir, has only added to the impression of a side without stability.

Neville’s assessment reflects the growing unease. Manchester United face Chelsea next Saturday evening in a fixture that could define Amorim’s standing. Defeat may not confirm the end, but it would intensify calls for change. Victory, however, could provide a much-needed lifeline – and perhaps buy Amorim time to prove that his “idea” can finally land with his players.

For now, the pressure is undeniable. As Neville put it: “There’s got to be a turnaround pretty quickly, and the manager’s idea has got to land very quickly with the players.”