Gary Neville Lashes Out: “Get Him Out and Watch Manchester United Improve!”
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has not held back in his latest critique of the club, calling for a drastic change that he believes will be pivotal for the team’s success. Neville’s frustrations boiled over after a dismal performance from a key Manchester United figure during the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, where the Red Devils narrowly avoided what could have been a catastrophic defeat.
In a candid statement, Neville expressed his exasperation, declaring, “I have said this multiple times, but this is the final straw. Just get him out and watch the team improve!” His comments were directed at a specific individual within the squad, who, according to Neville, delivered a woeful performance, scoring just 1 out of 10 in the crucial match against Coventry.
The match in question, held at Wembley Stadium, was attended by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s co-owner, who had just completed the London Marathon earlier in the day. Despite finishing the marathon in an impressive four hours and 30 minutes, Ratcliffe’s day took a sharp turn as he witnessed his team’s struggle on the pitch. Manchester United had initially looked comfortable, taking a 3-0 lead against the Championship side. However, Coventry mounted a stunning comeback, nearly causing one of the biggest upsets in recent FA Cup history.
As the match dragged into extra time, it seemed that Coventry might have sealed their place in the final. A late goal, which would have been a dramatic winner, was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside, sparing Manchester United from embarrassment. The game then went to penalties, where United eventually scraped through, but not without a significant scare.
This narrow escape has done little to quell the growing dissatisfaction with manager Erik ten Hag’s leadership. Despite guiding the team to their second final in as many seasons—following their Carabao Cup triumph last year—questions are being raised about his future. Neville, echoing the sentiments of many fans, believes that United’s struggles this season cannot be ignored. He pointed out that under ten Hag, the team has looked like a “sinking ship,” plagued by inconsistency and a lack of clear direction.
The once-mighty Manchester United have failed to advance past the group stages of the Champions League and are currently languishing in seventh place in the Premier League, 16 points adrift of the top four. For a club of United’s stature, these results are simply unacceptable. Neville argues that securing a top-four finish should be the bare minimum for any United manager, yet the team is far from reaching that target.
One of the most glaring issues under ten Hag’s management has been United’s defensive frailties. The team has conceded an alarming number of goals during injury time, a sign of deeper problems within the squad. According to Understat, United ranks as the fifth-worst team in the Premier League in terms of expected goals against (xGA), with a worrying total of 63.61. This statistic is particularly damning when compared to the league leaders, Arsenal, who have an xGA of just 25.89.
Neville also highlighted the team’s lackluster offensive output, despite scoring three goals against Coventry. Manchester United currently ranks 12th in the league for expected goals (xG), with a total of 50.36—placing them below teams like Everton, who are battling relegation.
Adding to the criticism, Neville questioned ten Hag’s decision-making during the semi-final, particularly his substitutions. The Dutch manager replaced Alejandro Garnacho with Antony and brought on Christian Eriksen for Kobbie Mainoo, decisions that Neville believes contributed to United losing their grip on the game.
As pressure mounts, it’s becoming increasingly clear that ten Hag’s position is under serious threat. With Manchester United falling further behind their Premier League rivals, Neville’s call for change may resonate with fans and ownership alike. The next few weeks will be crucial for ten Hag, as he fights to save his job and restore some semblance of stability to a club that seems to be in
perpetual turmoil.