Gary Neville blows hot on Manchester United for their awful and shameful performance at the Brentford Community Stadium after a stunning first-half display from the hosts.
It was a bad Saturday for United to have received such an enormous humiliation from Brentford. The less prestigious team slammed United with a 4-0 defeat just within 35 minutes of the first half.
Manchester United were more terrible than they have ever been in a game they were expected to win or at worst gain a point. One would probably have to flashback to the 1973-74 relegation season to find something as humiliating as Saturday’s game.
Note that Manchester United were last relegated from the top flight in the 1973-74 season, but they rebounded straight away and have been a part of the top table since the 1975-76 season. However, history might repeat itself as they currently occupy the last position on the league table.
They actually did lose 4-0 to Brighton last season under Ralf Rangnick but that wasn’t even as humiliating as yesterday’s misfortune. Getting nailed four times in the first 35 minutes of the match was just so terribly incredible and will be an indelible record in United’s history.
What was more embarrassing in their horrible defeat last night was their lousy reaction after those goals happened as United were completely lost on the field.
Given that Last Sunday’s flaw at Old Trafford had happened, one would expect a rejuvenated United against Brentford the following weekend. Unfortunately, the club’s players succeeded in confirming that all is not well with the team.
Although Gary Naville, ex-United and England full-back said United’s loss on Sunday wasn’t a surprise to him he expected them to do better in their second match against Brentford.
“Last Sunday didn’t surprise me. I thought they would do better today (August 13) away from Old Trafford. But they have been mauled, bullied, messed around with like you wouldn’t believe in this first half hour”, the ex-footballer turned pundit said.
It took just 10 minutes for Ten Hag’s side to lose ground after Josh Dasilva’s strike from range squirmed through a diving David de Gea. The lead was doubled just eight minutes later by Mathias Jensen, who pounced on a defensive flaw.
The hosts extended their lead to four after further goals from Ben Mee in the 30th minute and Bryan Mbeumo after 35 minutes, both of which was teed up by Ivan Toney.
Gary Neville has compared Manchester United to an ‘Under-9s
Gary Neville has compared Manchester United to an ‘Under-9s’ side after their awkward display against Brentford in their Premier League match on Saturday.
Neville frowned at Erik ten Hag’s team selection for the match against Brentford, stating that they were collectively far too small to handle the physicality of the game, regardless of the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the starting line-up.
Neville remarked: “Erik ten Hag has to wait nine days for the next game. I can’t see that as a positive, personally. When they’ve had a nightmare like this. It’s better to get back out there on Tuesday or Wednesday but it’s not going to happen.
“For Manchester United, if you thought it couldn’t get any lower – it just has.
“These players, having proved under three different managers have shown they don’t run hard enough. They are drained of all confidence. They need help.
“I’ve been a coach of a struggling team before and they need something. Today is a new low. It seems like United can continually surpass their lows. The reality is this is really really bad”
In addition, the former United right-back opined there was nothing Ten Hag could do to save United’s face and change the result in his half time team talk as the fault majorly lies on the dismal display from the squad.
He added: “He’s got nothing to do, he’s got nothing to say. What can you possibly say to those 11 players. I think you’ve just got to send them out again.
“Manchester United have never been 4-0 down in the Premier League at this stage in a match. It has been a really good game plan from Brentford. I think United thought they would just come and play better football but it doesn’t work like that.
“It sounds very 80s but you need that fight. Especially here at Brentford. All the things I was told as a youngster ring true.
“Brentford went on to comfortably close out the 4-0 win, condemning United to their second defeat from their opening two Premier League games.”
Manchester United is to host Liverpool in their next premier league match coming up on Monday, 22nd of August. Klopp’s side haven’t lost any Premier League game this season. While, the red devils have not secured a single point since the league started.
Would United wake up to redeem their integrity or get it more tarnished by Liverpool? Well, United’s proper preparation before the game could prevent another disaster.
