MY ACCOUNT
Gary Neville labelled Manchester United “a disgrace” after their feeble second-half surrender in the 4-1 derby defeat to Manchester City.
After an exciting first half saw City edge 2-1 in front thanks to a Kevin De Bruyne double, the fizz went out of United’s performance and they barely saw the ball in the closing stages.
Riyad Mahrez helped himself to two goals and United were out-shot 14-0 in the second half by a rampant home side at the Etihad Stadium.
It became a drubbing as United folded, and former club captain Neville said Ralf Rangnick’s team let themselves down dreadfully.
During the final minutes of the game, Neville – now a commentator for Sky Sports – offered a string of stinging assessments.
“They’ve given up… they’re walking around the pitch… nowhere near good enough,” he said.
“They’ve absolutely thrown the towel in. The intensity and effort in the last 20 minutes has been non-existent.”
United had just 21.1 per cent of possession in the second half, and their passing accuracy after the break was a poor 75 per cent. City’s accuracy across the 90 minutes was a precise 92.7 per cent, underlining the quality they displayed.
Neville continued to be stinging as City’s win was confirmed, adding: “Manchester United finished like an absolute shower.
“They were a disgrace in that last 25 minutes.”
He spared Rangnick the most excoriating of his criticism, with the interim manager filling a gap between full-time appointments.
United had been unbeaten in eight Premier League games prior to this crushing setback.
The performance must have come as a shock to Rangnick, and Neville said: “The first time he’s come up against a proper team, they’ve been given a proper doing.”
