Gary Neville became enraged and criticized Manchester United’s strategy against Liverpool.
Gary Neville was surprised at a Manchester United tactic vs Liverpool. (Image: Sky Sports.)
The legendary Gary Neville of Manchester United was not pleased with Erik ten Hag’s out-of-possession strategies during their 2-2 draw with Liverpool. The first half ended with Luis Diaz giving the visitors the lead. Bruno Fernandes then leveled the score with an incredible 45-yard lob, and Kobbie Mainoo curled a shot to put United ahead. Mohamed Salah then tied the score from the penalty spot as the points were shared.
Nonetheless, Neville, who was providing commentary for the blockbuster on Sky Sports, called attention to a “bizarre” tactic that United used against Liverpool. When the visitors had the ball at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s team chose to play man-to-man marking, but their former defender did not see the advantages.
Mainoo would frequently follow Alexis Mac Allister when he would drop from midfield to retrieve the ball from his goalkeeper or back four. Neville believed that Fernandes didn’t really need to press Mac Allister because he was forced to move deeper to fill in for the vacant space next to Casemiro.
Neville pointed to the location of Mainoo. “On a throw-in, he’s in front of the ball. Bruno Fernandes, a central midfielder, always had to run back, in my opinion. Don’t be ahead of the game; forget about Mac Allister and that (man-marking system). It’s always possible to reach that one.
Now that he’s moving up there, it defies reasoning and is fundamental to the game. He doesn’t need to be chasing across the pitch the way he is right now. Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho can handle that. Take a look at that area behind him, right next to Casemiro. Mac Allister has now entered that area. Just the essentials.
Have a look at where Casemiro and Mainoo have disappeared to; a path leads there. It’s really very basic. the essentials. Playing against Manchester United’s midfield is so simple.
It’s the strangest thing ever, and if you’ve ever played midfield or any other position on the field, or even just watched football, you know these are the kinds of things that 12-year-olds learn. Bruno has already left and has no chance of reaching that pass.
Following up, Mainoo produced an incredible display to give United the lead at 2-1, leaving many, including Neville, in awe of the new England international. Just inside the Liverpool half, he picked up the ball, sent it out to the left, drifted into the box, and then fired past Caoimhin Kelleher.
“What do we have on our screen? As Mainoo found the back of the net, Neville exclaimed, “This game is absolutely insane.” “Manchester United appears out of nowhere, but Kobbie Mainoo’s creation is breathtaking. The crowd went completely crazy as he positioned it precisely into that far corner, raised it with his left foot, and struck it with his right.
“The Theater of Dreams—but is it the Theatre of Nightmares for that man, Jurgen Klopp? He lost his temper. As I mentioned, roughly fifteen minutes ago, it was not like the FA Cup match from a few weeks ago. It’s approaching swiftly.”
