Manchester United were far from impressive as they left rivals Leeds getting the better of them on Monday night, but Gary Neville saw something he believes Michael Carrick will be proud of.
Going into the game against Leeds after a three-week break, Manchester United had a chance to bridge a 10-point gap from sixth-placed Chelsea.
It proved to be a banana skin as United lost 2-1 against a Leeds side that relished playing as the underdog.
In hindsight, the first half was the worst 45 minutes endured under Michael Carrick, but that hasn’t stopped former United captain Gary Neville from reflecting on one of the few positives.
Gary Neville previews Man Utd vs Leeds at Old Trafford
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What is your MESSAGE to Michael Carrick after the defeat vs Leeds?
🗣️ Criticism, advice, sympathy, encouragement… let's hear it
Michael Carrick reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Gary Neville acknowledges Man Utd’s improvement with 10 men
United started the game poorly on Monday night, whereas Leeds had more aggression and intensity in their play.
United battled for the final 30 minutes after Lisandro Martinez’s controversial red card for a slight tug on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. They were still unable to claw their way back into the game despite Casemiro’s goal, cutting the deficit to one goal.
This meant Leeds came away from the game with their first league win at Old Trafford since 1981. It was also Carrick’s first home defeat of his interim period.
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Gary Neville was on co-commentary for the match, providing his analysis, but on his podcast he stressed Carrick would be proud of how his team battled after being reduced to 10 men.
“They were actually at their best when the backs were against the wall with 10 men,” Neville said on The Gary Neville podcast.
“And I think Michael Carrick will be proud of that bit, the fact that they demonstrated some character and some personality.
“When really it could have been quite different.”
United will need to show a lot more than character when they travel to Chelsea on Saturday. They remain in third place for now, with the same tally of points (55) as Aston Villa after playing 32 matches.
⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
Gary Neville says Manchester United played better with 10 men against Leeds
Michael Carrick will be ‘proud’ of the character shown by his players in the final 30 minutes
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Is Michael Carrick the right man? United have only won one of the last four games…
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Two red cards in as many games for Man Utd
Carrick has been unlucky with some of the decisions that went against United in the last two matches.
Harry Maguire got sent off in United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, and Martinez was dismissed for a slight tug of Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
While Maguire cannot have complaints over his red card against Bournemouth, the centre-back argued that the Cherries got away with a similar foul on Amad Diallo inside the penalty area that went unpunished.
Matters were made worse on Monday night because Calvert-Lewin got away with elbowing Leny Yoro in the head before Leeds scored the opening goal.
Calvert-Lewin’s lunge was deemed fair by the referee, Paul Tierney, and VAR, as there was no intervention.
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