Gary Neville singles out Man Utd star as Ten Hag's major problem highlighted

29 October 2023 , 18:10

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Gary Neville singles out Man Utd star as Ten Hag's major problem highlighted

Gary Neville believes Christian Eriksen's struggles personified Manchester United's woes in their humiliating derby defeat to arch rivals Manchester City.

Eriksen was culpable for City's second goal of the afternoon, allowing Rodri to breeze past him in the build-up, before Erling Haaland headed past Andre Onana to double City's lead. Neville fumed at how the goal came about and, while working on Sky Sports commentary, brutally said of Eriksen's role: "That's Manchester United's midfield."

United were rudderless in the middle, the Red Devils once again taught a footballing lesson by Pep Guardiola's men. Under-fire United boss Erik ten Hag was without Casemiro, who's been out injured since the international break, meaning he went with a central midfield trio of Denmark international Eriksen, Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay, with Bruno Fernandes pushed out to the right wing.

At half-time, with United 1-0 down and Amrabat on a booking, Ten Hag introduced Mason Mount. It did little to improve the Red Devils' abject performance and they were ultimately beaten comfortably in their own backyard.

The aforementioned second goal all but ended the contest, before Phil Foden got in on the act to make it 3-0 with 10 minutes of normal time to go. During those final stages at Old Trafford, Neville claimed that United had "absolutely lost their way," particularly taking aim at substitute Antony and captain Fernandes. Both were clearly frustrated with their respective parts in the defeat, the pair both being booked for cynical challenges late on.

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Christian Eriksen struggled as Manchester United lost the derby 3-0 on Sunday (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

After Fernandes attempted to tackle John Stones in the dying embers, ex-United captain Neville claimed: "He's trying to do someone there, Fernandes. He's trying to do John Stones but he's seen him coming and he's ended up hurting himself.

"He's conning no one with what he’s been trying to do over the past few minutes."

And when Antony viciously swiped at Jeremy Doku, leaving the City winger and his teammates furious, Neville declared: "Doku is absolutely right, Antony just has a kick at him. United have lost their discipline, it starts with the captain. It's absolutely ridiculous, I would just send him off. It's embarrassing."

Nathan Ridley