Neville slams United’s slow start
Gary Neville has slammed his former club Manchester United amid their worst start to a season for 39 years.
The Red Devils have lost four of their opening seven Premier League matches and have tasted defeat in both matches so far in the Champions League.
When asked what he has made of United’s start to the campaign, Neville told talkSPORT: “Scruffy, very scruffy. Up and down, inconsistent, injuries and lots of things going wrong on the pitch, lots of things going wrong off the pitch.
“I feel very sorry for the manager, I know a lot of people will say he’s got to do a lot better, and that’s fine, he’s the Manchester United manager, but there are a lot of big problems at the club that managers have found over the last ten years.
“I think until those problems are solved we’ll still continue to see underperforming teams, underperforming players, it’s become a graveyard for coaches and players – it’s not too strong a term.”
United to battle for new sporting director
Manchester United are keen to hire Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.
According to The Independent, Berta is the club’s favoured target to take up the vacant role.
The Italian currently holds the same position with Atletico Madrid and has been with the La Liga giants since 2017.
Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain are both also interested, though, the report adds.
September player of the month named
Casemiro has been named Manchester United’s player of the month for September.
However, fans have been left shocked by the news after the Brazilian struggled to impress during the month.
Reacting to the announcement, one supporter joked: “They clearly did not watch him play.”
Meanwhile, another added: “How’s he snuck into that then?”
Fifth Champions League spot in doubt
English clubs are currently at risk of missing out on a fifth Champions League spot for next season.
With the competition expanding from 32 to 36 teams, two of the four additional berths are to be given to the two best performing countries in European competitions.
However, Arsenal and Manchester United’s defeats this week, paired with Aston Villa and Brighton’s opening European losses, mean the Premier League is not yet in line to receive a bonus slot.
England currently rank 16th this season, with Turkey and Belgium on course for the extra places as things stand, according to The Athletic.
Onana dubbed a ‘downgrade’ on De Gea
Chris Sutton has claimed Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is a “downgrade” on David de Gea.
Onana joined the Red Devils in the summer to replace De Gea, who departed upon the expiry of his contract.
However, the former Ajax stopper has endured a difficult start to the season, making several high-profile mistakes.
Sutton has now argued United would have been better off keeping De Gea, telling the Daily Mail: “I think he’s a downgrade on De Gea. I really do.
“I’ve seen enough of him. Is he better than De Gea with his feet? Probably, only just.
“But I’m more interested in him keeping the ball out the back of the net and I think he’s made a lot of blunders this season. A lot of goalkeeping errors.”
United blocked from recalling left-back
Manchester United are unable to recall Alvaro Fernandez to solve their defensive injury woes.
All three of the club’s senior left-backs are currently sidelined, with Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Sergio Reguilon unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Brentford.
20-year-old Fernandez would have been in line to start had he not been loaned to Granada on deadline day.
United are also unable to recall him early as the clause in his contract is not active until January, according to the Manchester Evening News.