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Gary Neville tried to make sense of Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat by the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.
United’s Premier League opener win over Fulham kick-started their league marketing campaign on a constructive observe, giving followers and pundits alike a variety of positives to speak about.
Nevertheless, the Seagulls handed the Crimson Devils an early blow on the street courtesy of a stoppage-time winner from João Pedro.
Ten Hag fielded the identical beginning XI that beat Fulham, and for giant elements of the sport, his gamers delivered a really comparable efficiency. Nevertheless, poor decision-making from United forwards and a few questionable in-game modifications from the gaffer himself largely contributed to a totally totally different outcome.
Specifically, one of many modifications that seemingly baffled Neville was Ten Hag taking off Harry Maguire for Matthijs de Ligt within the 79th minute when the scoreline was stage.
Talking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the United legend mentioned: “He’s altering the again 4 once more throughout the sport. Taking centre-backs off once more. Taking centre-backs off… that was a no-no again within the day.”
“He is altering the again 4 once more throughout the sport…”
Gary Neville believes the steadiness of the Manchester United facet is unsuitable ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/uCgdh58fF1
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“You would possibly take a full-back off if you’re shedding the sport. However if you’re drawing or profitable the sport, you don’t are inclined to take off a defender. You might be are inclined to belief your again 4.”
The Dutch tactician didn’t belief his again 4 and as a substitute of discovering a profitable purpose, he noticed his facet concede a header from an unmarked Pedro from shut vary.
The backline was all over in stoppage time, giving the Brighton man loads of house and time to hit the again of the online and seize all three factors for the host.
In a separate post-match present, Neville insisted a draw would have been “half acceptable” however a defeat heading into a vital conflict towards Liverpool places “an terrible lot of stress” on the United boss.
Additional, the legendary full-back expects the ex-Ajax coach to alter his system towards Liverpool subsequent weekend. “The steadiness isn’t proper,” Neville mentioned on The Gary Neville Podcast whereas speaking about Ten Hag’s 4-2-2-2 formation.
Neville feels the entrance two of Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo have been so broad that always United have lacked any focus in the course of the assault.
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