Manchester United put a terrible performance on the field against Brighton on last Saturday. Gary Neville, former defender of the club made a stand that Red Devils fans
Man Utd lost 3-1 to the Seagulls at Old Trafford on Saturday. From their opening five Premier League matches they just got 6 points. Also this home lost end their 32 games strike at Old Trafford.
Man United won only two games against Wolves and Nottingham Forest. Beside lost almost 3 games against top 6 sides of the Premier League including Tottenham and Arsenal.
Manchester united invest a lot of money during summer transfer window. They signed Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, Sergio Reguilon, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir this summer. But Neville’s admitted that’s not enough to improve starting 11 than last season.
“I was worried at the start of the season.“There was this feeling Manchester United had got their business done early in the transfer window and that was good, but I was concerned the players they had brought in wouldn’t improve them from last season.“
Speaking on his own Sky Sports podcast, Neville said
“I never thought for one second they would challenge Manchester City and Arsenal from the players that they brought in.“
“That would have needed a Harry Kane-type signing or Declan Rice, as an example. They didn’t have the money to do those types of signings.“
Gary Neville about the match against Brighton
“They’re not very good at the moment. There’s no hysteria. I went to the Brighton game as a fan thinking, ‘Could I be surprised?’.“
“You’re always optimistic. I have never walked over that forecourt at Old Trafford and not been optimistic because that’s the job of a football fan going to any ground where you support your team.
“But 72,000 Manchester United fans in that stadium, who are informed and know Brighton and know their current team, I don’t think any of them were surprised at what they saw.“
Neville picks out Mctominay as ‘Legless’
”And Neville picked out Man Utd midfielder Scott McTominay for being “legless at times” against Brighton as Roberto de Zerbi’s side got the better of the Red Devils in the tactical battle.“
Mctominay completed only 15 passes over 80 minutes during the match.
Neville also claimed about Mctominay; “I was watching those lads very closely. This wasn’t a massive lack of effort or players chucking the towel in, they were trying their very best, but McTominay couldn’t get out to their left side in the second half and that’s where the two goals came from.“
About Ten Hag and his system
“I was surprised they kept a narrow midfield and didn’t have a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 because Manchester United’s pitch always feels massive in the wide areas, it always has done.“
Gary Neville also talked about the lacks of Ten Hags tactics.
“Brighton have got the system of play and the players to be able to dismantle you and find the spare pass.
“I always used to think at Old Trafford, ‘Don’t give the opposition an easy out’. They had an easy out yesterday and they dismantled Manchester United and made them look quite ordinary at times.“
“It was a worrying, concerning day in that Brighton were better than Manchester United. They were fantastic with a group of players that on paper aren’t as sexy, as valuable but they were the better team.”
