30 December 2023 , 22:54
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Gary Neville believes Manchester United are "inconsistent and awful" after their 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
Erik ten Hag's side suffered their ninth Premier League defeat of the season at the City Ground thanks to a woeful performance. Nicolas Dominguez opened the scoring for Forest before Marcus Rashford equalised. Morgan Gibbs-White then hit the winner.
The result leaves United, who are out of Europe and the Carabao Cup, seventh in the Premier League and 11 points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more. Some fans are now beginning to question Ten Hag's long-term future at Old Trafford.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is close to purchasing a 25 per cent stake in United and will take charge of football operations if and when the Premier League approve his deal. Ten Hag will need to impress his incoming boss if he's to stay in a job.
"Manchester United are back to what they are - inconsistent and awful," Neville told Sky Sports immediately after Forest's victory. "They walk off the pitch a defeated bunch. United fans behind the goal will go off so disappointed.
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"But let's not forget about Nottingham Forest who have been absolutely wonderful. They were the better team all game. They've lost their manager recently who has been brilliant for them the last two years, but they've made an immediate response with two huge victories. But Manchester United are back to their worst."
Neville's fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp also believes United are inconsistent. He added: "It's a massive win for Forest but, to be honest, coming here today I didn't think it would be anything other than a Forest win. Manchester United are so inconsistent.
Manchester United lost again on Saturday evening (Getty Images)Do you agree with Gary Neville? Let us know in the comments below!
"They are horrible to watch. They have no real appetite, desire, it looks like they are playing under duress. There's not enough ambition or desire."
Ten Hag blamed United's loss on their injury list. Mason Mount (calf), Sofyan Amrabat (knock), Victor Lindelof (groin), Harry Maguire (groin), Luke Shaw (knock), Casemiro (hamstring) and Lisandro Martinez (foot) were among those to miss the game.
Ten Hag told Sky Sports: "We haven't played with the same team in a row. We had to change again so every time we have to swap our team. That doesn't help or support the routines of the team and it explains why you are so inconsistent.
"We had nine different partnerships in the back. It doesn't matter as well, the fans don't want to hear this, they want to see us winning and that is what we have to serve them... In January we have a lot of players returning so then our levels can be higher."