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Gary Neville hit out at Manchester United’s “embarrassing” senior players as Erik ten Hag’s men collapsed in their 7-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday as Arsenal fans and Jamie Carragher revelled in his previous comments that the Gunners lack leaders in their Premier League title-chasing side. Mikel Arteta’s table-toppers restored their five-goal lead at the summit on Saturday when they showed huge character to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 courtesy of Reiss Nelson’s 97th-minute winner.
And having previously predicted that United would finish above Arsenal after their 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in January – Gunners supporters couldn’t help but enjoy the way Neville berated United’s lack of leadership to cap a memorable weekend for the Gunners.
Neville’s healthy, light-hearted rivalry with Arsenal fans began to bubble in August when he said during The Overlap: “The experience is still not there either off the pitch or on the pitch. I’ve watched Oleksandr Zinchenko, but he’s not a leader. I love him to bits… but he’s not a leader.”
Carragher brought the comments up again on Saturday when Zinchenko helped Arsenal rally from behind against the Cherries to pull off a potentially season-defining victory.
Arsenal fans have also been keen to remember Neville’s comments in January when he was adamant his former side would eventually oust the Gunners in the table.
READ MORE: Graeme Souness confronts Man Utd icon Gary Neville over ‘daft’ off-air Liverpool remark
Nonetheless, he took issue with a number of United performances including Bruno Fernandes, labelling his behaviour as “a disgrace” as the Portugal international took several tumbles on the field in desperate bids to win fouls.
“Bruno Fernandes is asking why it’s not him [coming off],” said Neville during commentary. “Honestly, some of his behaviour has been a disgrace, [even if] he’s been brilliant at times, his assists and goals.
“The second half has been a disgrace, a shambles, epitomised by Fernandes who has been embarrassing at times. It’s not their usual performance, spirit or form. [Erik ten Hag] will deal with it,” he later added.
After the game, Neville continued his criticism of Fernandes and questioned why he failed to stick his chest out when the game was going against United.
The former right-back said: “I start with the captain. You don’t throw your hands up, you run back. I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms up as team-mates and not running back. He got pushed in the chest and went down holding his face. I think Ten Hag will deal with him very strongly in the next 48 hours. It was a disgrace.”
One thing is for certain, there is undoubtedly more leadership in Arsenal’s side on the basis of this weekend’s results as United’s season took an unexpected twist.
Neville made it clear prior to kick-off that he did not believe United were in the title mix and his judgement was vindicated following a horror result and performance.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are continuing to go from strength to strength and they still look like the team to beat in the Premier League as the Gunners continue to set the benchmark.
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