Gary Neville says Amorim is using 'excuse mentality' for Man Utd's poor results

Gary Neville has accused Ruben Amorim of fostering an "excuse mentality" in the wake of the club’s recent struggles.

Speaking on his podcast, Neville dismissed Amorim’s claim that media criticism was impacting player confidence, calling the remarks a deflection tactic and a sign of deeper cultural issues at Old Trafford.

Amorim, under pressure despite a recent 2–0 win over Sunderland, suggested that negativity from pundits like Neville was “seeping into the dressing room” and affecting morale. But the former United captain was having none of it.

“If pundits are getting in your head, you shouldn’t be playing for Manchester United. Simple as that,” Neville said on his podcast.

The ex-defender, who played over 600 games for the club, stressed that top-level players must be mentally strong enough to deal with criticism — especially at a club of United’s stature.

Neville pointed to his own experience, saying he endured constant scrutiny during his playing days, but never used it as an excuse for underperformance.

He went further, labelling Amorim’s mindset dangerous: “Excuse mentality, shortcuts, blaming other people... it’s the worst thing you can do in life."

Neville warned that United’s ongoing failure to take responsibility — from players to the manager — is symptomatic of a club that’s lost its edge. He acknowledged the win over Sunderland but insisted it doesn’t wipe the slate clean.

“You silence critics by winning games consistently, not by moaning about media noise,” Neville added.

This latest exchange underlines the growing scrutiny surrounding Amorim’s leadership. While some fans admire his tactical boldness, pundits like Neville believe deflection and inconsistency are undermining United’s identity.

With tougher fixtures ahead, and little margin for error, the pressure is clearly mounting. If Amorim can’t back up his approach with results, Neville’s words may soon sound less like punditry — and more like prophecy.

United got a good win over Sunderland on Saturday but there is still a long way to go.