Gary Neville has disagreed with a claim made by Roy Keane that left Bruno Fernandes baffled after Manchester United’s 4-1 loss against Newcastle.
Manchester United were handed their 14th Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday, as Rúben Amorim’s side were thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
United started on the front foot and looked sharp in the opening stages, but it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock. A beautifully lofted ball from Alexander Isak found Sandro Tonali, who slotted past Altay Bayındır to give the hosts the lead after 25 minutes.
Despite Newcastle dominating possession, United managed to claw their way back into the game. A quick breakaway saw Alejandro Garnacho race in behind and finish confidently in the 37th minute to bring the visitors level going into the interval.
But Newcastle came out flying in the second half. Just minutes after the restart, Jacob Murphy picked out Harvey Barnes with a low cut-back, and the winger made it 2-1. Barnes doubled his tally not long after, capitalising on a costly slip from Noussair Mazraoui to extend the advantage.
Bruno Guimarães sealed the result late on, latching onto a poor pass from Bayındır to add a fourth. United had no answer, as their defensive frailties and lack of control once again cost them dearly.
Neville disagrees with Keane claim
Speaking after the United loss, ed-Reds midfielder Roy Keane suggested that Amorim’s players were not working to their full capacities, claiming that the players “don’t want to run.”
However, his former teammate and fellow pundit Gary Neville has contrasted this claim entirely, stating that he feels that United’s players are “giving their all,” but that they are just not a good team.
“They’re not a very good team. Simple as that,” Neville said on NBC. “The problem with this group of players is they’re giving it their all. I don’t think there’s a lack of effort.
“They’re so below the standard and quality you need at that football club all over the pitch. Other than Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo maybe, I can’t think of any of them I would hang my hat on.
“It’s a really desperate situation because the squad is so poor on quality. They’ve got old players, they’ve got young players who are nowhere near it, they have a group in the middle… It’s a worrying situation.”
Keane’s comment left Fernandes baffled
Neville was not the only one who disagreed with Keane’s claim following the fixture. United captain Bruno Fernandes was asked directly about criticisms that his teammates do not work hard enough.
The 30-year-old gave a very defiant response, explaining that he does not listen to the opinions of others amid criticism and that United’s players are acutely aware of the scenario the club find themselves in and are doing everything they can to pull United into a brighter future.
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“It’s the opinion of other people,” Fernandes explained to Sky Sports. “I can’t make people have all the same opinion about me, about my players, about my team. And that’s it.
“Obviously, we’re not stupid. We know the position we are in. It’s easy to criticise because this club has never been like this. It’s never suffered in the last years the way we’ve been suffering this season. It’s normal.
“You need to be aware that you play for Manchester United. You know the criticism will be there. You’re going to get some credit when you do good things. You need to find the balance of the way to take it.”
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