Gary Neville was left exasperated with Jamie Carragher after pressing him on where Manchester United will finish this season. He also accused him of being dishonest with his prediction.
Following his bold claim that his former club will secure fourth place this campaign during a Sky Sports Premier League segment, Neville asked Carragher for his view on where the Red Devils will end up. The Liverpool legend responded: "I would see a European contender," prompting Neville to brand him a "bottle merchant" for refusing to provide a specific position. When Carragher clarified that he expects United to finish either seventh or eighth in the league table, Neville tore into his fellow pundit and accused him of being untruthful.
He said: "You think they're going to be eighth? You don't think they're eighth and I know you don't, because I know you. I know your facials very well. You don't believe Manchester United after yesterday are finishing eighth."
Carragher then said: "I think the best they can get is Europa League. They're getting nowhere near Champions League. Sixth, seventh, in the mix for that."
Determined to hear a precise position from Carragher rather than a vague projection, Neville asked again: "What's your position? You can't just say..." before Carragher replied: "Well, what's Europa League? So is Champions League top five? Could be top five, could be top four.
"Let's say it's top five like last season. I don't see them getting Champions League, so they could be six, seven, eight. One of those positions."
Wide-eyed and with his hand on his forehead in visible frustration, Neville then said: "Oh my God, what position is it?" for one last time. Fortunately, he managed to extract a definitive response from his fellow pundit, with Carragher replying: "Seventh. We'll do it in the middle. We'll call them seventh."
It follows the Red Devils' slender 1-0 loss against Arsenal in their Premier League curtain-raiser at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Riccardo Calafiori scoring the only goal of the game for the Gunners. However, there are hopes that Ruben Amorim's summer rebuild will bear fruit over time.
The Portuguese coach could only achieve a disappointing 15th-place finish in the table last campaign with the squad he took over from Erik ten Hag. Following the decision to support Amorim in the transfer market, the United hierarchy will demand improved displays from the side this term.
The Red Devils have already invested over £200million in players such as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. They could still welcome additional new arrivals before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Their next challenge comes against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, as they aim to claim their maiden Premier League points of the season.