Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham Hotspur has prompted Premier League legend Gary Neville to warn the players they need to “get a grip” after they were booed by their own fans multiple times during the game at Old Trafford on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Spurs created countless chances in the opening hour but it was the Red Devils who took the lead on 73 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo finished smartly past Antonin Kinsky.
The game already had a certain tension to it but that turned into outright bedlam a few minutes later, with a melee breaking out after a coming together between Luke Shaw and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Shaw shoved the Uruguayan in the back, who turned around and leaned his head in towards the United’s veteran face, which was enough to earn Bentancur a red card, but only after several other players were cautioned for their roles in the melee.
But despite being down to 10 men it was Tottenham who created more chances towards the end of the game, and they were eventually rewarded when Dominic Solanke got his head onto the end of a cross from Sandro Tonali and found the back of the net to rescue a point for Spurs, who moved to 18th spot with three points from six games.
United aren’t faring much better, stranded in 12th after winning just one of their first six fixtures of the Premier League season, with a trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League awaiting them next week.
It’s a position that many associated with the club are not happy with, including Neville, who suggested the boos from the Old Trafford faithful were directed squarely at the players rather than coach – and Neville’s former teammate – Michael Carrick.
“I don’t think the boos are against Michael Carrick for one minute. But what I would say is that they’re turning quite quickly,” [Neville said on Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/13597587/gary-neville-warns-man-utd-players-to-get-a-grip-or-face-a-worrying-few-weeks-after-draw-with-10-man-spurs).
“Manchester United fans are incredibly loyal, beyond loyal, to their managers and to their players, but what they won’t accept is a lack of energy.
“They won’t accept a lack of what they deem to be effort. I don’t like saying effort, but the reality is they’re not running enough, they’re not showing enough tenacity, determination, fighting spirit. They’re just not.
“They booed after 22 minutes, they booed at half-time, and they booed at the end. That tells you that they’re really, really despondent with what they’re watching.”
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Neville was particularly critical of central midfield pair Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans, suggesting it is time to bring in late signing Carlos Baleba, after he made his first appearance for his new club off the bench.
“There’s going to have to be something done in there (in central midfield), and the rest of them are going to have to get a grip because they are going to a Diego Simeone Atletico Madrid (in the Champions League) and Elland Road (against Leeds in the Premier League).
“If you’re not quite right there from a mental and physical perspective, you’re going to get found out.”
In other Premier League results from overnight, Arsenal were made to work hard for their 2-1 win over Leeds United, a result that helped the defending champions go level on points with Manchester City, who have a much-hyped trip to Liverpool on Monday morning.
Leeds had taken the lead through James Justin before quickfire goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes helped the Gunners claim all three points.
Chelsea grabbed their first win in five attempts after crushing Bournemouth 5-1.
Jordan Henderson was the surprise hero for the Blues, scoring inside two minutes before curling in a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out in the second half.
Chelsea were leading 2-0 after just three minutes thanks to early strikes from Henderson and fellow England international Morgan Rogers, with Brazilian forward Joao Pedro also scoring a brace.
Heading into the game the main storyline was Cole Palmer signing a new contract until 2034, but his veteran teammate Henderson ended up stealing the show.
“We signed him for everything,” Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said of Henderson. “If he’s able to score two beauties like today, we are more than happy for him.
“But apart from the goals, he’s done many, many good things.
Arsenal 2 – 1 Leeds United
Chelsea 5 – 1 Bournemouth
Ipswich Town 2 – 1 Fulham
Sunderland 0 – 2 Brighton
Aston Villa 2 – 2 Brentford
Manchester United 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur