Gary Neville believes the Manchester United board will have a difficult decision to make if Sunderland cruise to victory at Old Trafford at the weekend
Manchester United head coach / manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Brentford, England
Ruben Amorim during Manchester United's clash against Brentford(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Gary Neville fears that Ruben Amorim could be sacked if Manchester United lose to Sunderland at the weekend. The Reds will host Régis Le Bris' side at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as they look to climb the Premier League table.
Amorim will hope United can return to winning ways after a disappointing defeat to Brentford; meanwhile, Sunderland have the opportunity to climb into the top four. The Black Cats have enjoyed a superb start to the new season, winning 11 points from six games.
Only goal difference separates Sunderland in fifth from Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, and they only trail Liverpool, who are first place, by four points. United would ordinarily be expected to defeat the newly-promoted outfit, but Neville fears the Black Cats could dig their claws in.
Speaking on his podcast at St. James' Park following Arsenal's win over Newcastle, the United legend claimed 'very big questions' will be asked of the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe if Sunderland waltzes away victorious. He also explained why he's 'worried' about the club's future.
"I think when it gets to this point, you've got to see what happens next Saturday against Sunderland," said Neville. "You've got a game at home against Sunderland.
"And Sunderland, as we know, are obviously in decent form. But if that game goes against Manchester United, you're going to start seeing very, very, very big questions being asked of the ownership.
"Big questions. They brought a young manager in. He's played a completely different system. They've invested in a completely different system. They brought [Patrick] Dorgu in, and they brought other players.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim looks dejected
Ruben Amorim oversaw another disappointing afternoon for Manchester United as they lost at Brentford on Saturday
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"And if they were to be 14th, 15th, 16th in October, which was where I said at the start of the season, if Manchester United are where they were last season in October, it's not a one-off.
"It becomes what you are, and it becomes a pattern, and then managers come under huge pressure. We've seen what's happened with Graham Potter (at West Ham) in the last few days."
Neville added: "So, look, that’s why I'm worried. That's why I'm worried because this is not going to go away, and it's going to build up in this next week or so. And I think that a victory is needed more than ever at Old Trafford on Saturday against Sunderland."
Gary Neville reflects on the weekend's action from St. James' Park on his podcast
Gary Neville reflects on the weekend's action from St. James' Park on his podcast(Image: The Gary Neville Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kczh3yjiE8w)
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Despite question marks over his future, the Manchester Evening News understands that Amorim still has the backing of United's board, meaning the decision has been made not to let him go yet.
The Portuguese tactician may still be onside with his bosses, but Neville believes the players have lost faith in the system.
On the Brentford result, the former England international said: "I think there are a lot of United fans coming out of that ground last Saturday, including me, thinking Brentford away, Sunderland at home next week has a real opportunity to get nine points on the board, on the bounce, and then you'll be well up in the top six or eight.
"But the Brentford game was a really poor performance and a real worry. I felt for the first time, just through instinct, watching it on the television, seeing players' faces and body language, that there might be an element of players really doubting the system and what's going on."