Gary Neville lays into Kobbie Mainoo for failing to do ‘basics of the game’… but Man Utd legend made to eat his words

GARY NEVILLE laid into Kobbie Mainoo as Liverpool ran rings around Manchester United’s midfield, claiming his first-half positioning “defied logic.”

England’s latest star lined up at Old Trafford for Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash, which ended 2-2.

United fans were desperate for a response after watching their side concede two late goals to lose 4-3 at Chelsea on Thursday.

But, after having an Alejandro Garnacho strike disallowed for offside, United ended up conceding a soft goal from a Liverpool corner.

The visitors continued to dominate the ball, helping themselves to 14 attempts before the break.

United, who had ZERO shots, could not get near them in midfield.

And Neville took aim at Mainoo as he criticised the youngster for failing to do the “basics of the game.”

Neville said: “Look where Mainoo is there, he’s ahead of the ball at the throw in. As a central midfield player, I always think you’ve got to run back.”

Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher interjected: “There’s a man-marking system, no doubt he’s got his eye on Mac Allister.”

Neville replied: “Forget about that, forget about Mac Allister, don’t be ahead of the ball, get up to that one, he’s moving up there now.”

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Carragher stated: “It must be an instruction before the game.”

Neville added: “It defies logic, it’s the basics of the game. Even now he’s chasing him across the pitch, he doesn’t need to.

“Garnacho and Hojlund can deal with that, look at the space in behind him. That space alongside Casemiro there.

“Just the basics, look at where Casemiro’s gone in, Mainoo, they’ve both gone in. It opens up a path into there.

“Honestly, it’s basics. Absolute basics, so easy to play against Manchester United’s midfield.” 

Fans also reacted to Neville’s criticism of Mainoo.

One said: “Neville’s right about Mainoo, this man-to-man marking system is why we’re getting so cut open, needs to hold his position.”

Another declared: “He’s marking Mac Allister then there’s half a space behind him for Diaz and Robertson to run into”.

One noted: “Neville is absolutely spot on, why is Mainoo man-marking Mac Allister like that and leaving that massive gap in midfield?”

Another added: “Neville is completely correct, Mainoo is being used in such a strange way here. Constantly ahead of the ball and having absolutely no impact on the game.”

Mainoo ended up having the last laugh though.

With Bruno Fernandes pulling United back on level terms in the 50^th minute with a wonder strike from the centre circle, Mainoo then made a positive impact as he put the hosts ahead 15 minutes later.

Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson were left arguing with each other after Mainoo sliced Liverpool’s midfield apart with a silky run.

He laid the ball off before receiving it just inside Liverpool’s box.

The 18-year-old turned on his axis before curling a shot in the top corner.

But there was late drama as Liverpool won a penalty in the 81st minute.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka fouled Harvey Elliott in United’s area, and the spot-kick was duly put away by Mo Salah.

Neither side was able to find a decisive goal though as the match ended 2-2.

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Anthony Chapman

April 7, 2024 7:39 pm