Gary Neville says Manchester United are struggling because their midfield play is too slow
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes the key to the side's problems so far this season is that their game through midfield is not quick enough.
10:19PM BST 20 Oct 2013
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Gary Neville believes that a lack of dynamism in the midfield is costingManchester United dear this season.
The former England defender thinks that United’s inability to dominate games in the middle of the park is tempting visiting managers to name a more attacking line-up against the champions.
Last season a first-half double from Wayne Rooney cancelled out Jay Rodriguez’s shock early goal for Southampton to secure a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford but United failed to score a second when the sides met on Saturday.
“There is still a sense that David Moyes is finding out about his players and his own way in the job,” Neville said. “The key for me is that the speed of their game through the midfield is not quick enough.
“United have always been about those relentless waves of attacks, sustained for good periods without counter which would eventually overwhelm the opposition. Because this isn’t happening opponents have time to rest and recover between attacks.
"And it means teams are perhaps playing a few more attacking players against United and going into games with a bit more confidence than usual. Southampton certainly showed that in the first 20 minutes of the game.
“I have no doubt that David Moyes will be an excellent United manager. But for now he is having to endure some painful results.”
