Three Man United players slammed for Liverpool moment during 2-2 draw

Gary Neville slammed two Manchester United players during the club’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

United came back from behind to go into the final stages of the game 2-1 up, but Liverpool equalised late on through a Mohammad Salah penalty.

Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes scored the goals for United but the midfield set-up in the first half was beyond frustrating and Liverpool had continuous joy against it.

Gary Neville, who was on Sky Sports commentary during the game, stated that the decision-making in the engine room “defied logic,” and he was critical of Mainoo, Fernandes and Casemiro for missing the “basics” in the middle.

“Look where Mainoo is there, he’s ahead of the ball on a throw-in,” Neville said. “For a central midfield player I always think – and Bruno Fernandes, he had to run back.

“Forget about that [man-marking system], forget about Mac Allister, don’t be ahead of the ball. You can always get up to that one. He’s moving up there now, it defies logic and it’s the basics of the game.

“Even now he’s chasing across the pitch, he doesn’t need to. Garnacho and Hojlund can deal with that. Look at the space behind him – that space alongside Casemiro there. Mac Allister’s run into that space now. Just the basics.

“Look at where Casemiro and Mainoo have gone now, it opens up a path there. Honestly, it’s basics. Absolute basics. It’s so easy to play against Manchester United’s midfield.

“It’s the most bizarre and peculiar, and if you’re watching football or if you’ve played midfield – or any position on the pitch – you just know these are the sort of things you learn as a 12-year-old. Bruno’s gone there and he’s no chance of getting anywhere near that pass.”

They’re following instructions

It seems harsh to blame the midfielder directly when it simply appears that they are following instructions. Mainoo, in particular, has shown in games that he can be very well-disciplined.

So why would the 18-year-old suddenly lose the “basics” in games when he’s alongside Casemiro? It’s because his role changes, and he follows the instructions placed on him.

That’s why it’s a problem no matter who plays as the no.8 – Mainoo, Fernandes, Mount, Casemiro, McTominay.

Erik ten Hag says in the media that there is no issue with this approach but he must secretly know things must change in there.