Gary Neville admits Aston Villa result left him shocked

Gary Neville admits he is still ‘not wholly convinced’ by Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Manchester United’s promising run under Ten Hag came to an abrupt end at the weekend as Unai Emery enjoyed a dream start as Aston Villa manager.

Not only were United unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions, the Red Devils had gone unbeaten away from home against Aston Villa (in the Premier League) since 1995.

It all came crashing down inside the first 11 minutes as Villa took a two-goal lead. Emery’s side were well on their way to a 3-1 win because United never got going, despite pulling one goal back on the brink of half time thanks to a lucky deflection.

United stay fifth in the Premier League and miss out on the chance to make ground on Chelsea, who lost against Arsenal on Sunday.

Neville insists there has been promising signs at Old Trafford under Ten Hag but remains unconvinced by the team. He adds that any claims suggesting United are ‘back’ are premature.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Gary Neville podcast, he said: “I’m surprised by that today. Well done to Unai Emery, it’s a fantastic result for Aston Villa. He’s a world-class manager and he’s come in and got a big result.

“I’m surprised for Manchester United, I thought they would beat Villa, that has shocked me a little bit.

“It’s a dip. Overall, I’m not wholly convinced by United at all. This idea that United are back, they’re not. They’re nowhere near Man City.

“They’re more watchable and have got a bit more fight. [Christian] Eriksen has brought real quality in midfield and [Lisandro] Martinez has done fantastic at the back, he’s brought real tenacity.

“But they keep getting injuries at the back and that’s a real problem. Also, United’s front three are the weakest out of the top-six in my opinion.

“I think Ten Hag is getting the maximum out of them. He needs two or three years in the job and a few transfer windows. There’s signs they’re getting better but they’re not back.

“Back is when you’re challenging at the top and when you are a really fantastic football team. That’s not happening right now.

“Ten Hag will recognise that the team are far away from where he wants them to be, but there is an energy and a spirit that wasn’t there before. Things are better but they’re not back.”

More Stories Aston Villa Erik ten Hag Gary Neville Manchester United Unai Emery