Gary Neville's pre-season prediction for Manchester United has not gone to plan, with the Red Devils currently languishing 13th in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim
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Manchester United legend Gary Neville
Gary Neville's prediction for Manchester United's season has not panned out
(Image: Getty Images)
Gary Neville was "quietly optimistic" that Manchester United would enjoy a good campaign, with the Sky Sports pundit backing them to finish in the top four in his pre-season predictions. At the time, United had just handed Erik ten Hag a contract extension and backed him heavily in the transfer market.
The Red Devils spent over £200m on Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos now in charge of football operations.
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However, things have not gone to plan at all, with Ten Hag sacked in October and United languishing in 13th under new boss Ruben Amorim. Sporting director Dan Ashworth lasted just five months at the club, while there has been unrest over the raft of cost-cutting measures Ratcliffe has implemented.
United are still in contention to win the Europa League, though, and would qualify for next season's Champions League as a result. However, even if they were to triumph in Europe, Neville's pre-season predictions have still not panned out.
"I hope Erik ten Hag will still be the Manchester United manager come the end of the season," Neville told Sky Sports. "There's no doubt that if United have a really poor start and the results are the same as last year that Ten Hag will come under massive pressure very quickly.
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"But I am actually quietly optimistic about Manchester United. I just think the signings that they are brining in are of a different profile from what they have bought in the past.
"The group of people they have now at the club, from owner down to sporting director, will not make the same mistakes the club have made in the last three or four seasons. They have wasted money and made signings that you knew would bring pressure to them at some point.
Ruben Amorim walking out on the Old Trafford pitch
United currently sit third in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim
"The profile of the players they are bringing in now is right. They need a younger, quicker, athletic and more energetic football team, and I think that is what you are going to see from Manchester United this year.
"There is still an imbalance in some parts of the team where they need to get better. There are worries about Luke Shaw, who is now injured again, at left-back. Who is going to play there now?
"There's also potentially issues up front if Rasmus Hojlund's injury issues continue. Manchester United are obviously short up there.
"But just generally, I do think they are in a better situation than they were last year, and hopefully the change at the very top of the club with INEOS, which everyone has wanted for years, can bring more sensible decision-making."
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