Follow Us on Google
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has launched a scathing attack on the club’s performance in their 1-1 draw with Fulham, describing a 15-minute spell after half-time as the worst he had witnessed from the team.
United produced a laboured display at Fulham and fell behind when Lisandro Martínez turned the ball into his own net shortly after the hour mark.
Neville, who spent his entire professional career at Manchester United, was particularly critical of the team’s performance after the interval.
“I’ve watched Manchester United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen. Absolutely pathetic. I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must [Michael] Carrick be thinking?” Neville was quoted by BBC Sport as saying.
United eventually rescued a point in the 89th minute when Matheus Cunha’s effort took a deflection before finding the net.
Cunha also acknowledged that Fulham had shown greater intensity at the start of the second half, saying: “At the beginning of the second half they put in more energy than us. We cannot accept this.”
Carrick, however, rejected suggestions that United’s performance was caused by a fitness problem, pointing to the team’s response late in the match.
“The way we finished the game, actually, it didn’t look like that. We finished the game really strong actually, and kept pushing. I don’t think that’s an issue, no,” the United manager said.
The draw extended a difficult run for United, who had already lost the Manchester derby before surrendering a two-goal lead against Brighton. They now have five points from their opening five league matches and sit 12th in the Premier League table.
Cunha later referred to the growing “noise” around the club, while Carrick acknowledged the frustration among supporters and insisted there was still plenty of the season to play.
“It’s still a big season ahead. It’s a long season and you’re going to have spells through a season. That’s part of the journey,” Carrick said.
He added that he understood the supporters’ disappointment, saying United had wanted more points from their opening matches, while praising the fans for continuing to support the team throughout the draw.
