Manchester United avoided a third consecutive Premier League loss by earning a 1-1 draw at Fulham, but their performance drew heavy criticism. Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, focused particularly on how the “Red Devils” looked without the ball and put pressure on Michael Carrick.
The former United star described the first 15 minutes of the second half as the worst he’s ever seen from the team, while arguing that Carrick needs to stop publicly defending his players.
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“Michael needs to stop defending them. I understand why he does it; he’s loyal to his players and wants them to work for him,” he said.
Neville highlighted the lack of intensity and movement, saying that United’s players looked like “puppets” when Fulham had possession. In fact, he described the team’s performance for much of the game as “truly unacceptable” and stressed that a change in its defensive structure is needed.
At the same time, he pointed out that several of the team’s forwards are more effective with the ball than without it, a fact that creates problems in their defensive play.
United now has just five points from as many matches, a record that ties for their worst start to a Premier League season, along with the 2014–15 season.
*photo source: AP
