Gary Neville blasts Man United as ‘the worst pound-for-pound team in the country’ as Ruben Amorim’s side are mauled by Newcastle in the first half at Old Trafford

Gary Neville branded Manchester United ‘the worst pound-for-pound football club in the country’ as Ruben Amorim’s sorry side were torn apart by Newcastle at Old Trafford.

United’s 2-0 defeat was Amorin’s fifth in six league games, and the ‘embarrassed’ head coach admitted afterwards that they are in a relegation battle.

‘Manchester United’s confidence is shot,’ Neville told Sky Sports. ‘Newcastle are hammering Manchester United. You are watching the worst pound-for-pound football club in the country, they are that bad.’

United have lost six games in December – their most in single month since September 1930 – and are now just seven points above the relegation zone.

Asked if they are now in a battle to stay in the Premier League, Amorim said: ‘That is really clear so we have to fight. It is one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty. We have to focus on surviving.

‘It is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that.’

Ruben Amorim’s side found themselves 2-0 down after just 19 minutes against Newcastle

Amorim reacted by withdrawing forward Joshua Zirkzee with just 33 minutes played

Former United defender Neville didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Red Devils

Amorim responded to seeing United go behind to goals by Alexander Isak and Joelinton by substituting Joshua Zirkzee in the 33rd minute, a decision that was greeted with cheers around Old Trafford.

Neville added: ‘I actually feel sorry for him. I know he’s earning a lot of money here, but there’s a human being in there basically being jeered off by his own fans and that is brutal.

‘I’ve not seen it many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years I’ve been coming here, if at all.’

Amorim explained: ‘You have to think about the team, and also sometimes about the player as the player was suffering. It was a very difficult moment but he is a human-being and felt the support of fans.’

After seeing his Newcastle side move up to fifth place, manager Eddie Howe said: ‘We know the hurt this fixture has had for us historically, so psychologically this was a big step forward for us.’