The Manchester United legend addressed the Southampton manager’s claim after the Red Devils put in yet another dismal display during their home draw against the Saints
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Former Manchester United star and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has highlighted post-match remarks made by Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
United stumbled yet again in their pursuit for a top four finish after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to the Saints on Saturday afternoon.
Jadon Sancho bagged his first goal in front of the Old Trafford faithful but it was cancelled out by Che Adams effort just three minutes into the second-half.
Boos rung out around United’s home come the full-time whistle as the club’s fanbase voiced their frustration at the third successive 1-1 draw and general lacklustre display.
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After the game, Hasenhuttl openly discussed the United flaw he told his players to target by confessing “It’s not a big secret that when they lose the ball the reverse gears are not the best from everyone.”
Though the comments raised eyebrows given they came from an opposition manager, they do not come as a surprise when factoring in the players that make up United’s midfield and attack.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba are hardly renowned for their defensive effort and none of them covered themselves in glory in their latest outing.
Neville responded to Hasenhuttl’s post-match analysis on Twitter by quoting him, before adding: “Imagine being a Manchester United player and having a respected opposition manager says that about you.”
A number of United’s current crop came in for criticism after the game, with Paul Scholes barely holding back while assessing the display for BT Sport.
“Look at the difference between United’s team and Southampton’s, we have to give Southampton credit they were brilliant today,” Scholes claimed.
“The methods, the patterns of play, the two centre-forwards, the midfielders, they were fantastic.
“You look at United, they were all over the place. At one point Scott McTominay was left on his own in midfield, then it was Paul Pogba left on his own in midfield.
“Where Bruno Fernandes was playing I don’t know. He’s all over the pitch.
The two wide players, for me they just didn’t work anywhere near hard enough.”
Scholes’ last remark is perhaps the most damning indictment of United’s showing and agrees with Hasenhuttl’s assessment.
“This game isn’t always about being in possession, sometimes you need to do things that give you a bit of pain, you don’t like doing it,” he explained. “So often this team jogs back and it’s so easy to play against.”
United sit fifth in the table level on points with fourth-placed West Ham, but have both Arsenal and Tottenham breathing down their necks.
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