Gary Neville blasts four “very poor” Manchester United stars for two key errors vs Brighton

Gary Neville has blasted four Manchester United players for two “very poor” moments during their defeat to Brighton.

Manchester United‘s loss to Brighton has put a slight hitch in Erik ten Hag‘s plans following their opening-day win over Fulham.

The match started evenly, but Brighton took the lead in the 30th minute with a goal from Danny Welbeck. Although Marcus Rashford quickly found the net, his goal was disallowed for offside.

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In the second half, Amad Diallo managed to level the score, but Alejandro Garnacho’s subsequent effort was ruled out for offside, as the ball had grazed Joshua Zirkzee before crossing the line. Antony also had a significant chance but failed to convert.

As the game neared its end, Joao Pedro capitalized on a defensive lapse and headed in the decisive goal just moments before the final whistle.

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast after the game, former United captain Gary Neville explained that he feels there are four United players who are to blame for the two Brighton goals.

“The first goal they conceded was poor. I thought Harry Maguire should have dealt with the first one in, and then should have cut off the space when it was played back inside. Mazraoui should have got closer and it was poor from Martinez as well.

“So three of them contributed towards that. It was a really poor first goal to give away. Obviously they get back into it and then if that goal counts, the Zirkzee one where Garnacho plays it across and it’s in except it’s not in. That’s the problem.

“I think Zirkzee is trying to get out of the way of it, he’s trying to get up. So you think that’s it and the game is finishing 1-1.”

Further, Neville then explained that he felt Casemiro had a moment just before Pedro’s winner that needed highlighting.

“Then it is 2-1, and organisationally that is quite poor. They have cleared a corner and when you do that until you know that ball is fully cleared you don’t go back into your normal shape, You stay in your corner shape, your areas and come out together.

“And I think Casemiro and a couple of others run towards the ball and come across defenders which just leaves an absolute mountain of space at the back post.

“That is basics, you need to hold your discipline. If you’re a right back and find yourself at left back coming out after a corner, that’s where you stay for even a minute.

“They moved back into usual shape rather than treat it as a second phase of a corner, that was the big mistake they made. It is very difficult to play football without a centre forward. I know it has been done with false 9s.”

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