Gary Neville’s Concerns: Six Manchester United Players Under Scrutiny After Arsenal Stalemate

Gary Neville’s Concerns: Six Manchester United Players Under Scrutiny After Arsenal Stalemate

On March 9, 2025, Manchester United faced off against Arsenal at Old Trafford in a Premier League clash that ended in a tense 1-1 draw. For fans of the Red Devils, it was a match that encapsulated both the promise and the persistent frustrations of the Rúben Amorim era. While United showed flashes of resilience against a title-chasing Arsenal side, the result left many questions unanswered about the squad’s direction. Sky Sports pundit and Manchester United legend Gary Neville, never one to shy away from a forthright opinion, seized the opportunity to dissect the performance, pinpointing six players who he believes are cause for concern despite the point earned. In this 3,500-word analysis, we’ll delve into Neville’s critique, explore the context of the match, and assess what these worries mean for United’s future under Amorim.

The Match Context: A Tale of Two Halves

The 1-1 draw against Arsenal was a microcosm of Manchester United’s 2024-25 season—moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. Under Amorim’s stewardship, United have adopted a 3-4-3 system, emphasizing defensive solidity and quick transitions. Against Arsenal, this approach bore fruit early on, with United taking the lead through a well-worked move finished by Bruno Fernandes—a player Neville has often praised as the heartbeat of the team. The Old Trafford crowd, buoyed by the prospect of an upset against Mikel Arteta’s high-flying Gunners, roared their approval.

However, Arsenal, known for their set-piece prowess and relentless pressing, fought back in the second half. A corner delivered by Declan Rice found William Saliba unmarked, and the French defender powered a header past André Onana to equalize. The final whistle blew with both sides sharing the spoils, but for Neville, the result masked deeper issues. Speaking on Sky Sports post-match, he highlighted six players whose performances—or lack thereof—left him worried about United’s trajectory. Let’s break down each of Neville’s concerns, player by player, and examine the broader implications.

1. Rasmus Højlund: The Struggling Spearhead

First on Neville’s list was Rasmus Højlund, United’s £72 million signing from Atalanta in the summer of 2023. The Danish striker has been a polarizing figure since his arrival, with flashes of potential often overshadowed by prolonged goal droughts. Against Arsenal, Højlund started as the lone forward but cut a frustrated figure, managing just one shot on target and losing possession repeatedly under pressure from Arsenal’s center-back pairing of Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.

Neville’s worry stems from Højlund’s inability to impose himself consistently. “He’s got the physical tools, the movement, but where’s the killer instinct?” Neville remarked. “Against a defense like Arsenal’s, you’ve got to be sharper, more ruthless. He’s not giving Amorim enough up top.” At 22, Højlund is still young, but with Joshua Zirkzee offering competition and Marcus Rashford’s departure on loan to Aston Villa, the pressure is mounting. Neville’s critique echoes a broader sentiment: Højlund needs to step up if United are to compete at the top level, or Amorim may look elsewhere in the transfer market.

2. Joshua Zirkzee: A Square Peg in a Round Hole?

Next up was Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutch forward signed from Bologna in the summer of 2024. Zirkzee came off the bench against Arsenal, replacing Højlund in the 70th minute, but failed to make an impact. Neville’s concern here is less about effort and more about fit. “Zirkzee looks lost in this system,” he noted. “He’s not a natural No. 9, and Amorim’s asking him to do things he’s not comfortable with.”

Zirkzee’s languid style and preference for dropping deep to link play clash with the directness Amorim demands from his forwards. Against Arsenal, he struggled to hold up the ball against physical defenders and offered little threat in the box. Neville’s worry is that United have invested in a player who doesn’t align with the tactical vision—a recurring theme in the club’s post-Ferguson recruitment. With Rashford gone and no new striker arriving in January, Zirkzee’s adaptation—or lack thereof—could hamstring United’s attack for the remainder of the season.

3. Noussair Mazraoui: Defensive Frailty Exposed

Switching to the backline, Neville turned his attention to Noussair Mazraoui, the Moroccan right-back signed from Bayern Munich in 2024. Mazraoui has been a regular in Amorim’s three-man defense, often shifting to a wing-back role in possession. Against Arsenal, however, he was caught out for Saliba’s equalizer, losing his man at the back post—a cardinal sin in Neville’s book.

“He’s got the technical ability, but defensively, he’s suspect,” Neville said. “You can’t switch off against Arsenal’s set-piece machine. That goal was on him.” Mazraoui’s versatility has been a plus, but his lapses in concentration—evident in earlier matches against Liverpool and Manchester City—raise doubts about his reliability in big games. Neville’s concern reflects a broader issue: United’s defense, despite Amorim’s structured approach, remains vulnerable to quality opposition. With Lisandro Martínez potentially sidelined by injury, Mazraoui’s role becomes even more critical—and precarious.

4. Diogo Dalot: Stagnation at Wing-Back

Diogo Dalot, another of United’s wide options, also drew Neville’s ire. The Portuguese defender has been a mainstay under Amorim, often deployed as a left wing-back to accommodate Mazraoui on the right. Against Arsenal, Dalot worked tirelessly but offered little going forward, completing just one successful cross and failing to trouble Arsenal’s backline.

Neville’s critique was blunt: “Dalot’s not progressing. He’s solid, dependable, but where’s the spark? We need more from him in this system.” Amorim’s 3-4-3 relies heavily on wing-backs to provide width and creativity, yet Dalot’s output has plateaued. Neville worries that without an upgrade—or a tactical tweak—United’s flanks will remain a weak link, especially against teams like Arsenal who exploit such deficiencies with ruthless precision.

5. Casemiro: The Fading Enforcer

No analysis of Manchester United’s struggles is complete without mentioning Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder whose decline has become a lightning rod for debate. Against Arsenal, Casemiro anchored the midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo but struggled to keep pace with Arsenal’s dynamic duo of Martin Ødegaard and Thomas Partey. His lack of mobility was evident as Arsenal carved through the middle late in the game, and Neville didn’t hold back.

“He’s a shadow of the player we saw at Real Madrid,” Neville lamented. “The legs are gone, and in a game like this, you can’t hide that. Amorim’s got a problem here.” Casemiro’s £60 million move in 2022 was hailed as a coup, but at 33, his diminishing athleticism is glaring. Neville’s worry is twofold: Casemiro’s presence limits United’s pressing intensity, and his high wages make him difficult to move on. With Mainoo emerging as a star, the veteran’s role is increasingly under scrutiny.

6. Alejandro Garnacho: Talent Without End Product

Rounding out Neville’s list was Alejandro Garnacho, the 20-year-old winger who has been a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season. Against Arsenal, Garnacho started on the right but faded after a lively opening, completing just one dribble and misfiring with his final ball. Neville’s concern isn’t about Garnacho’s potential but his current output.

“He’s got all the tricks, the flair, but he’s not delivering consistently,” Neville observed. “At this level, you need end product—goals, assists—not just promise.” Garnacho’s raw talent is undeniable, but with Rashford’s departure and Antony’s continued struggles, United need their young Argentine to mature quickly. Neville’s worry is that Garnacho’s development could stall if he doesn’t start translating his flair into tangible results, especially in marquee matches like this one.

The Bigger Picture: Amorim’s United at a Crossroads

Neville’s focus on these six players—Højlund, Zirkzee, Mazraoui, Dalot, Casemiro, and Garnacho—underscores a broader narrative: Manchester United are a team in transition, caught between past glories and an uncertain future. The 1-1 draw against Arsenal was, in many ways, a microcosm of this limbo. United showed they can compete with the best, as evidenced by Fernandes’ goal and a disciplined first half, but their inability to close out the game exposed familiar frailties.

Amorim, who took charge in November 2024, has now overseen 19 matches, winning nine, losing eight, and drawing two. His tenure has brought structure—United’s expected goals against (xGA) have improved compared to Erik ten Hag’s final months—but the attack remains blunt, and the defense leaks at crucial moments. Neville’s critique of these six players reflects deeper systemic issues: a lack of clinical finishing, tactical misfits, and a reliance on aging or inconsistent stars.

Tactical Takeaways: Where United Fell Short

Against Arsenal, Amorim’s 3-4-3 worked well defensively in the first half, with United pressing high to disrupt Arteta’s build-up play. However, the second half exposed cracks. Arsenal’s set-piece goal highlighted a recurring problem—United have conceded from corners in multiple big games this season, a stat Neville finds “alarming.” The midfield, anchored by Casemiro, couldn’t sustain its intensity, allowing Arsenal to dominate possession after the break. Up top, Højlund and Zirkzee’s struggles left United toothless, unable to capitalize on counterattacking opportunities.

Neville’s analysis aligns with data: United’s expected goals (xG) against Arsenal was a paltry 0.8, compared to Arsenal’s 1.4. This disparity underscores the attacking woes Neville flagged, particularly with Højlund and Zirkzee. Meanwhile, Mazraoui and Dalot’s defensive lapses and lack of creativity on the flanks allowed Arsenal to pin United back, a tactical mismatch that Arteta exploited expertly.

Neville’s Perspective: A Call for Change

As a former United captain who won eight Premier League titles, Neville’s critiques carry weight. His post-match comments weren’t just about individual failings but a plea for clarity. “Amorim’s got to sort this out,” he urged. “These players—some of them aren’t good enough, some don’t fit. He needs time, but United can’t keep drifting.” Neville’s worry is that without decisive action—whether through coaching, recruitment, or both—United risk another season of mediocrity.

Neville has long been vocal about United’s decline since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. The Glazers’ ownership, coupled with INEOS’s recent cost-cutting under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has left the squad thin. The January transfer window saw no incoming attackers despite Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony’s exits (the latter two on loan), exacerbating the pressure on Højlund and Zirkzee. Neville’s six-player list is, in essence, a symptom of this mismanagement—a squad ill-equipped for the demands of modern football.

Fan Reaction: Echoes of Frustration

United fans on social media echoed Neville’s sentiments. “Højlund’s not ready, Casemiro’s finished—Neville’s spot on,” one X user posted. Another quipped, “Mazraoui and Dalot as wing-backs? We’re begging to be exposed.” The draw against Arsenal, while not a loss, felt like a missed opportunity—a sentiment Neville amplified. For a fanbase starved of success, his words resonate as both a diagnosis and a rallying cry.

What’s Next for United?

The Arsenal draw leaves United mid-table, with Europa League and FA Cup campaigns still alive. Amorim’s immediate challenge is to address Neville’s concerns. Can Højlund find his scoring boots? Will Zirkzee adapt to the system? Can Mazraoui and Dalot shore up the flanks, and will Casemiro’s decline force a midfield rethink? Garnacho’s growth, meanwhile, could be the wildcard United need.

Looking ahead, the summer transfer window looms large. Neville has called for “two to three windows” to fix United, but with Financial Fair Play constraints and INEOS’s frugality, reinforcements may be limited. Amorim’s ability to coach these players—or find alternatives within the squad—will define his tenure.

Conclusion: A Work in Progress

Gary Neville’s highlighting of six Manchester United players after the 1-1 Arsenal draw is more than a pundit’s hot take—it’s a window into a club at a crossroads. Højlund, Zirkzee, Mazraoui, Dalot, Casemiro, and Garnacho represent the spectrum of United’s challenges: youth unfulfilled, signings misaligned, and veterans fading. The draw against Arsenal was a point gained, but for Neville, it was a stark reminder of how far United remain from their former glory.

As of March 9, 2025, Rúben Amorim’s project is a work in progress. Neville’s worries, while harsh, are rooted in a desire to see United rise again. Whether these six players can prove him wrong—or whether Amorim can mold them into a cohesive unit—remains the defining question of this season. For now, the Theatre of Dreams waits, hopeful yet wary, for the next act in this ongoing drama.

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