Gary Neville is fearing the worst for Manchester United (Picture: NBC Sports)
Gary Neville has urged Michael Carrick to ignore the clamour to start Shea Lacey against Aston Villa.
The struggling Red Devils dropped into the relegation zone on Saturday as a consequence of a Liam Delap inspired Nottingham Forest condemning Manchester City to a third straight defeat.
United showed signs of life in midweek after they came back from 2-0 down to produce a rousing second half comeback against Roma in the Champions League.
Lacey’s late cameo proved key in helping Carrick’s struggling side earn a first victory in any competition since September, and the young winger is pushing for a start against Villa.
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Neville, however, believes United finding themselves in such a precarious situation means today’s game at Old Trafford is an occasion for wise old heads.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s time to play kids, it’s a time for experience,’ Neville told NBC Sport.
‘I think it’s something you do when you have talented kids for a start but when you’re absolutely desperate.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17258818ba) Manchester United manager Michael Carrick embraces Manchester United player Shea Lacey after a 3-2 victory over Roma during the UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 of 8 match at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom, on November 3, 2026. Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4, United Kingdom - 03 Nov 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17258818ba) Manchester United manager Michael Carrick embraces Manchester United player Shea Lacey after a 3-2 victory over Roma during the UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 of 8 match at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom, on November 3, 2026. Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4, United Kingdom - 03 Nov 2026
‘This is a time for him to put his best team out on the pitch and they’ve got to go and deliver.’
On the shock at seeing his old side drop into the bottom three, Neville added: ‘Sitting in the bottom three it’s incredible to see that, it’s sobering. What that night was on Wednesday was emotion.
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‘Manchester United got that goal and in European nights you’ve seen that before where the emotion carries you through wave after wave of attacks.
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‘The atmosphere is electric but that isn’t going to get you through all the difficult moments.
[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cesar Cebolla/PRESSINPHOTO/Shutterstock (17214228af) Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League match between Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United FC played at Riyadh Metropolitano Stadium on 13 Oct 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Cesar Cebolla / PRESSINPHOTO) ESP: Atletico de Madrid v Manchester United FC. UEFA Champions League. Matchday 2., Riyadh Metropolitano Stadium, Spain - 13 Oct 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cesar Cebolla/PRESSINPHOTO/Shutterstock (17214228af) Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League match between Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United FC played at Riyadh Metropolitano Stadium on 13 Oct 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Cesar Cebolla / PRESSINPHOTO) ESP: Atletico de Madrid v Manchester United FC. UEFA Champions League. Matchday 2., Riyadh Metropolitano Stadium, Spain - 13 Oct 2026](https://metro.co.uk/2026/11/06/former-arsenal-star-urged-reject-man-utd-transfer-it-set-back-29773130/)
‘You need performance, you need patterns, you need methodology as a player you need something to consistent and a default style of play.
‘Manchester United have been really, really poor this season. If they go into the international break in the relegation zone it would be a desperate, desperate situation.’