Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was puzzled by Michael Carrick’s reluctance over his tactics during a key moment in Manchester United’s encounter with Leeds United.
Leeds United stunned Manchester United in the first half after Noah Okafor broke the deadlock only five minutes after kick-off in the Premier League contest.
Man Utd were 2-0 down against Leeds before 30 minutes were on the clock after Noah Okafor came back to haunt the Red Devils for a second time in the match.
Leeds would hold onto their lead going into the break after Okafor’s brace and Michael Carrick would raise the eyebrows of Gary Neville at half-time on Monday.
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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Gary Neville questions Michael Carrick’s decision not to make any Man Utd substitutions vs Leeds United before the second half
Manchester United were flustered in the first half against Leeds United at Old Trafford in their first Premier League match since the end of the March break.
However, the Red Devils came out from the Old Trafford tunnel unchanged for the second half, despite the strong performance that Leeds produced in the first half of the tie.
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Michael Carrick opted not to turn to his bench during the break and United legend Gary Neville was convinced his former teammate would bring on substitutes.
“I’m really shocked [at no changes for Manchester United],” he said on Sky Sports.
“I was expecting new players on the pitch.”
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Gary Neville’s first-half prediction for Michael Carrick to use his Man Utd bench at half-time equally fell flat
Carrick turned to his bench late in the second half after Lisandro Martinez had already been sent off and Casemiro had scored for United in the 69th minute.
Bryan Mbeumo replaced Amad Diallo in the 71st minute at Old Trafford on Monday evening to mark the first substitution made by interim Red Devils boss Carrick.
Even before the half-time whistle, Neville was convinced that Carrick would shake up his Man Utd starting XI after Noah Okafor’s impactful first-half brace for Leeds.
“The crowd are getting very restless,” Neville said.
“Carrick will definitely change it, I’m sure. He will have to act.”
Reacting to Man Utd’s performance during the first half, Neville also suggested: “Carrick has to change it.
“This is the most difficult 45 minutes he has had in the job.”
Man Utd will now return to Premier League action on Saturday evening, with the Red Devils visiting Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea at 8pm UK time.
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