Angry Amorim’s tactics ‘absolute madness’ and ’embarrassing’ for Man United vs Spurs, says Neville

Manchester United legend Gary Neville accused Ruben Amorim of using tactics that would not be worthy of under-9s football as his side went behind at Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

In a game between two fallen giants of English football, United conceded in the 13th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when James Maddison reached goalkeeper Andre Onana’s parry ahead of any visiting defender.

Ex-United captain Neville was more concerned by their plight higher up the pitch, where Casemiro made his first appearance of 2025 as a starter.

“The distance between the two central midfielders for United is all wrong,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Look where [Bruno] Fernandes is, look where Casemiro is. It breaks all rules of football.

“It’s absolute madness. The structure of the team is awful. The two in midfield are split. It’s embarrassing. You wouldn’t see this in under-9s football.”

James Maddison nets on his return from injury! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/59Q1DG5moD

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025

Tottenham vs Man United: Amorim ‘really angry’

Amorim has not been shy to criticise his players since arriving from Portuguese club Sporting in November, and the Premier League newcomer looked aghast when Alejandro Garnacho sent a golden opportunity high over the crossbar shortly after Maddison’s opener.

Twenty-time champions United will be a point behind Everton in 15th if they lose and closer to the relegation zone than the top six.

“Amorim is really angry,” observed Neville, who appeared to have little sympathy for the 40-year-old. “He is going mad at his bench. He is shouting at people.

“Look at that space in midfield. Shocking. I’m not sure what he is angry about. The biggest problem l can see is how this team are set up.”

The average age of the Manchester United bench to face Spurs… comprising eight teenagers and Victor Lindelöf! 🤯📊 pic.twitter.com/AnL9ni2A5W

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025

Spurs vs Man United

On-loan Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel threatened a second for Spurs before the break, drawing a save from Onana after being located by Son Heung-min.

The winners of the game will go 12th in the top flight, with both teams winning eight of their preceding 24 league matches in 2024/25.

United have not beaten Tottenham in their last five attempts and lost 3-0 at Old Trafford in the teams’ first league meeting of the season.