Gary Neville warns Manchester United must improve quickly before Atletico Madrid test

Gary Neville has criticised Manchester United’s lack of effort and fighting spirit after their draw with Tottenham, warning they could suffer a heavy defeat against Atletico Madrid in midweek unless they improve quickly.

Manchester United were booed twice at Old Trafford on Saturday after conceding a late equaliser against 10-man Tottenham. The result extended their winless run to four matches in all competitions.

Neville believes the team is missing the competitive spirit expected of it, with supporters increasingly questioning the players’ willingness to run and work hard. Yuri Tielemans had indicated they had not focused sufficiently on that aspect during pre-season, while Manchester United’s running statistics since the start of the campaign have also been poor.

“What Manchester United fans will not accept is what they see as a lack of effort,” Neville said on his podcast. “The reality is that the players are not running enough, and they are not showing the required aggression, determination and fighting spirit. The boos tell you they are hugely frustrated by what they are watching.”

He added: “What we are seeing at the moment is a team that looks as though it is shrinking into itself. The club has also become bigger than some of the players’ ability to deal with the pressure at this moment.”

Neville said Carrick would be questioning the attitude within the squad.

“A shake of Carrick’s head would mean he is asking: ‘Are these players putting in the effort for me? What is happening with this group? Have they lost confidence in themselves? Has their concentration dropped? Are they starting to fall apart? What is going on?’” he said.

“These are not the players I was working with last season.”

Manchester United face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, despite winning their opening match in the league phase. Atletico Madrid are second in La Liga and defeated Real Madrid in the Madrid derby before the international break.

Neville also believes Manchester United’s midfield requires attention, particularly the partnership between Yuri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo.

“In terms of Yuri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, I think we have seen enough of this pairing so far,” he said. “I am not saying it has to end, because that would be a very rushed decision, but I have seen enough to believe this duo does not have the necessary dynamism to play for this club in the Premier League.

“They are both good individual players, but some players do not combine well enough and their characteristics do not complement each other.”

Neville said Manchester United appeared more energetic when Carlos Baleba played alongside Mainoo, but called for changes in midfield and greater seriousness from the rest of the squad.

“Manchester United will face Atletico Madrid and then travel to Elland Road,” he said. “If the players are not at their best mentally and physically, their weaknesses will be exposed. If they do not start improving, the next few weeks will be worrying.”

The former Manchester United defender added that the lack of visible effort was especially concerning during a demanding period in which the team will play every three days and face the pressure of Champions League football.

“The team has difficult matches ahead, and every game will require strong character and a clear competitive edge,” Neville said. “At the moment, we are concerned about their ability to get through this run of matches and emerge from it in the best possible shape.”

He concluded: “The three-week international break should have been an opportunity to reset, but it is extremely difficult to understand how the team could produce this performance during the opening 20 minutes.”