Gary Neville criticized Erik Ten Haag’s tactical decision to play a makeshift back three, leading to their defeat to Newcastle United.
Manchester United’s defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Sunday saw former United defender turned football pundit, Gary Neville, criticizing United manager Erik ten Hag for his tactical decisions. Neville felt that the introduction of a makeshift back three, comprising Diego Dalot and Luke Shaw on either side of Victor Lindelof, was a major tactical blunder that ultimately cost the Red Devils the game.
Newcastle’s Joe Willock and Callum Wilson found the net in the second half to secure a crucial victory for the Magpies, as they leapfrogged United into third place in the race for Champions League qualification. Neville believed that the late changes handed the initiative to Newcastle, exposing United’s lack of height and defensive frailties, particularly after the substitution of both centre-backs.
“Once those changes were made, this was the most predictable outcome,” Neville said after Wilson’s goal. “Manchester United just had no height in there. You are better off having two with them both being centre-backs rather than three with two full-backs, you end up being really exposed. Since the two centre backs went off, it has been a mess. I didn’t like it. I thought it might be like this. I never see one centre back working, it very rarely does. Shaw is playing as a second centre-back anyway, you might as well have a proper one in there.”
Neville’s criticism highlights the growing concern among fans and analysts about United’s defensive vulnerabilities, which have led to their inconsistent performances in recent weeks. Despite the defeat, United still have a good chance of securing a top-four finish, but the Red Devils will need to address their defensive issues if they are to challenge for major honors in the future.