“They should’ve been better, – Gary Neville accused four Man United stars for affecting other teammates with negative vibes during 6-3 defeat to Manchester City
Football commentator Gary Neville criticised four Manchester United players after the Red Devils’ crushing 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday (October 2). Hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden sank a calamitous Red Devils side, snapping their four-game league winning streak in the most humiliating way possible. The Sky Blues led 4-0 at half-time and went on a 6-1 run in the second half before an Anthony Martial double reduced the deficit.
However, nothing could overshadow the truly disastrous performance by Erik ten Hag’s side, and Neville singled out four players in particular.
He accused Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay of bringing “negative vibes” into the team as they were dismantled in the first half.Speaking to the Gary Neville Podcast, he said (via Metro):
“It’s the direct fouls, the anxiety on the ball and the lack of composure. I’m not talking about the full-backs being under pressure, I’m talking about the midfielders and the strikers – Rashford, Eriksen, Fernandes, McTominay.”
He continued:
“They all gave unnecessarily in that first half. When your best players don’t handle the ball well, it brings negative vibes to the whole team. They should have been better, much better.”
Haaland and Foden scored two goals each in the first half and City all but sealed the tie in the opening 45 minutes. Antony pulled one back for the visitors shortly after the restart, but the Sky Blues duo scored all three of their goals soon after.
Martial, who came off the bench on the hour mark, scored two late goals, including one from the penalty spot, to make the scoreline more respectable for the visitors. Manchester United dropped to sixth place after the defeat, while City moved up to second, one point behind leaders Arsenal.
Manchester United have a lot to do
Manchester United looked to have got their pulse back on Ten Hag after back-to-back defeats in their opening two Premier League games. However, last night’s derby humiliation once again revealed the team’s weaknesses.
The ruthless efficiency with which City tore United apart in defence, especially in the first half, was frightening.Manchester United left a lot of space in defence, and there was no communication between the back four. Manchester United left a lot of space in defence and there was no communication between the back four, and the midfield lacked cohesion and struggled to keep up with City. United travel to Omonia in the Europa League on Thursday (6 October) before visiting Everton in the Premier League three days later.
