Gary Neville has slammed Manchester United's performance in their 1-1 draw against Fulham, describing their early second-half display as the worst he has seen in over 45 years.
Gary Neville branded Manchester United’s early second-half display against Fulham as the worst he had seen in more than 45 years.
Gary Neville calls Man Utd’s start to second half ‘worst 15 minutes’ he has seen (Mike Egerton/PA)placeholder image
Gary Neville calls Man Utd’s start to second half ‘worst 15 minutes’ he has seen (Mike Egerton/PA)
United were fortunate to leave Craven Cottage with a 1-1 draw after Matheus Cunha’s late deflected effort snatched a point, but they had earlier gifted the hosts a comical own goal from Lisandro Martinez.
It came in the 63rd minute, capping a lethargic, error-strewn start to the half, and the goal felt fittingly surreal, Senne Lammens fumbling a tame shot with his legs and Martinez then tucked the ball past him as the goalkeeper struggled to find his balance.
During Sky Sports’ coverage former United defender Neville described that period of the match as “absolutely pathetic”.
Man Utd boss Michael Carrickplaceholder image
Man Utd boss Michael Carrick
“I’ve watched Man United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen,” Neville said.
“Absolutely pathetic. I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must (Michael) Carrick be thinking?”
A draw left United without a win in three Premier League games and means they will spend the international break in the bottom half of the table.
Reflecting on the game in his post-match analysis on Sky, Neville highlighted the Red Devils’ defensive issues and believes a “reset” is needed within their backline structure.
“It’s a great time for the international break and for the three weeks. It’s a great time because there needs to be a rebalance,” he said.
“I actually wish he could play those attacking players but they’re going to kill him defensively. It’s not just the defence and back four who are causing a problem.
“(Bryan) Mbeumo and (Marcus) Rashford, who are too wide and too high, they don’t narrow back in. He knows that position better than anybody, he used to get back in and narrow your midfield.
“You’ve then got (Youri) Tielemans and (Kobbie) Mainoo in midfield who are a little bit one-paced and believe probably will come in there. Bruno (Fernandes) to be fair at times just floats around a little bit and you’ve got Cunha who floats around a little bit.
“You’ve got these five or six players really who are all better with the ball than without the ball. It would be great to see them go and score loads of goals, maybe concede one or two and win games.
“But there is going to have to be a reset from a point of view of defensive structure because there’s far too many of them walking on the pitch that don’t think they have to do the ugly part of the game.
“Very rarely do I say that a team doesn’t work hard or is lacking in effort because that’s the ultimate criticism that you can give a group of players. I always think football players want to wake up in the morning and want to have won the football match and not get criticised.
“So I’m always very careful to say that, but that first 15 minutes of that second half Manchester United without the ball, and generally for the first 60 minutes, were an absolute disgrace. Nowhere near good enough without the ball.”