Man United have ‘undermined managers by elevating players to god-like status’, blasts Gary Neville

Gary Neville’s scathing criticism of the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United has continued following their humiliating 4-0 defeat at bitter rivals Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The gulf in class between the two enemies was laid out at Anfield as Liverpool dominated from the off with Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and a brace from Mohamed Salah sealing a comfortable victory.

Reflecting on the malaise at his former club, Neville believes the issues are deep-rooted and have been a long-standing issue for whoever has taken the managerial hotseat since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. As a result, the 47-year-old is concerned for Erik ten Hag – who is set to be the next United boss in the Old Trafford dugout.

Neville believes the running of the club via the Glazer family has seen player power dominate

Neville pointed to the likes of Alexis Sanchez (left) and Paul Pogba’s announcement videos when they signed for the club years ago as examples of boosting players instead of the boss

Neville pointed to the promotional videos of arrivals in the post-Ferguson era such as Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez as pushing the power at the club in the players’ favour rather than the actual manager.

‘Coming to the recruitment side, what they’ve done over last 10 years. What United have done is bring players in with piano introductions like Sanchez or Pogba. They’ve elevated the player above the manager at the football club. You go to Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City the manager is the primary figure at the football club,’ he reflected post-match on Sky Sports.

‘They’ve undermined managers over the last 10 years at Man United by elevating the players to this god-like status and the players haven’t performed. The players could do better, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could’ve done better, Rangnick maybe could have done better.’

Neville was speaking after disagreeing with Liverpool legend Graeme Souness’ view that the problems aren’t because of the Glazers. 

‘Graeme seriously. No owners of any good business in the world where the core activities of the business is failing and the cash reserves are being drained over the last three years through Covid, can you continue to take money out of a business,’ Neville quipped back. 

‘No shareholders, directors and owners of a good business, when the business is failing at it’s core activity, the cash reserves are being drained, there is investment required in hundreds of millions invested into the stadium and training ground and continue to take money out of the business. They can’t do it. 

‘Fundamentally the club is broken on and off the pitch. The stadium is falling apart, the training ground is falling back to second rate compared to other grounds. The owners are taking £25m out a year when the club need investment.’

Joel (left) and Avram Glazer (right) have been accused by Neville for a lack of investment

Asked by fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher if he feels the situation is unmanageable, Neville continued. 

‘Man United will be back and will be successful as the world is round and they’re a big club. I’ve got no worry about the long term. Might be five years, might be 10 years, just as I never had any doubts Liverpool would be back.’

United are set to announce the imminent arrival of Ten Hag as their new manager but Neville fears for the task he has in front of him.

‘I feel for him,’ he simply said when asked about the Dutchman’s probable workload at Old Trafford.

‘The desperation to get Ten Hag out there is to get the heat off the club as the fans are protesting, they’re up in arms about the performances. 

‘I can’t believe what’s going on they’re out of every tournament.’

The dismal display at Anfield saw United remain in sixth place, three points off fourth-placed Tottenham with five matches left to play. 

Neville says he ‘feels sorry’ for the Erik ten Hag who is set to be the next United manager