In the aftermath of Manchester United’s disappointing loss to Manchester City on derby day, Gary Neville launched a scathing critique, describing the club as “a burial ground for players.”
The former Manchester United player turned Sky Sports pundit delivered a passionate monologue in which he argued that the prevailing “toxic atmosphere” within the club was detrimental to the development of both players and managers.
Neville also pointed out the unsettling uncertainty surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s impending involvement with the club, asserting that this ambiguity was negatively affecting the entire organization.
Neville stated, “I honestly believe this toxicity that’s existed at this club, and has done for years by the way, it just eats alive every manager that comes and every player that comes,”
“Harry Maguire was going to go to Manchester City. Mason Mount was going to go to Liverpool. They come here and it’s a graveyard for them.
He continued to question, “Are we going to keep blaming the kids in the class [the players] or are we going to blame the head teacher [the owners]? We’ve seen great managers with great reputations and great players with great reputations come here and just die in front of our eyes. Why is that?”
In response, Jamie Carragher challenged Neville’s viewpoint, suggesting that some responsibility should also be placed on Erik ten Hag and his squad.
Carragher asked, “So we can’t analyse anything Erik ten Hag does or any performance Manchester United [produce]?”
“What they’re doing on the training pitch Monday to Friday has got nothing to do with Jim Ratcliffe coming in.”
“When they’re building up from the back what are Manchester United trying to do with the ball? They’re playing underdog football and have done so since [Ten Hag] came in,”
“They play counter-attacking football and they play long balls … that’s got nothing to do with what’s going on above him.”
During the game, Manchester United suffered a resounding 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, with City dominating the match and having the potential to score even more goals.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a penalty midway through the first half after a foul by Rasmus Hojlund on Rodri in the box.
Haaland added another goal just after halftime, heading the ball past Andre Onana at the far post. Phil Foden sealed the victory with a close-range finish from a Haaland cross in the 80th minute.
This defeat pushed Manchester United down to eighth place in the league standings after their fifth Premier League loss of the season and seventh overall in various competitions, while it allowed Pep Guardiola’s City to move within two points of league leaders Tottenham.
Manchester United performance and stats
Manchester United is currently in the Carabao Cup with points.
It has a even goal difference after scoring goals and conceding .
Manchester United will play the next match in Carabao Cup against Newcastle United on Wednesday 1st of November in Manchester. The prediction is Manchester United winning the match.