Gary Neville has questioned Erik ten Hag’s decision to deploy a midfield diamond during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy drew the same criticism from the game on Match of the Day last night, while Alan Shearer took a more measured approach in criticising the Glazer family’s lack of direction for the club.
We won’t beat around the bush, though. United were well beaten at Old Trafford by a well-drilled Brighton side. Goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Grob and Joao Pedro gave the Seagulls all three points. Meanwhile, Hannibal Mejbri scored a mere consolation goal, but is was his first for the goal so it remains a special moment for the graduate graduate.
Neville has pointed some of the blame at Ten Hag, which I do feel is warranted, given how United played into Brighton’s hands with such a narrow midfield.
Reflecting on the game, Neville told Sky Sports: “United played a very narrow midfield and once Brighton started to get it onto the right-hand side it was a real problem. They cut you open, Brighton, they’re clinical and precise. They dismantled Man United yesterday, and that is definitely the right word, they dismantled them. what most Man United fans thought might happen did happen, which is worrying.
“Yesterday was a bit worrying, the system didn’t really fit. playing a diamond at Old Trafford, I played at Old Trafford a lot, it always feels like a bigger pitch than everywhere else. It feels huge, particularly on that far side away from the dugout. McTominay and Eriksen’s legs in that second-half, McTominay, who has real energy, he was legless at one point in that second-half trying to get out where Brighton were attacking down the left.
“I was right in front of him on the opposite side to the main stand and the lad couldn’t get back for the second goal, and that’s Scott McTominay who has massive energy and can run all day long.”
Neville added that he agrees with Ten Hag that United are not in a crisis, but he has urged the Dutchman to turn his side’s form around as soon as possible.
“There were some worrying signs in that game, but they have got a few injuries, they are in a difficult moment on and off the pitch and Erik ten Hag has to settle everything down quite quickly because there is a lot of noise,” Neville added. “I do agree that it’s not a crisis, the crisis is off the pitch with the ownership, it’s not with the players, but I have to say performances do need to improve.”
United have a difficult trip to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, but we really need to be amending our form in the league against Burnley next weekend. That’s a must win now.
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Gary Neville talks too much, he’s the problem for Man Utd.
When Liverpool was not doing well last season, never heard anything like it, from Former Liverpool players ; talking bull-shit the way Ferdinand and Neville do.
Glazers are to be blamed for the on field poor performance. Manchester is in a mess, even bad luck has followed them.