Gary Neville: Erik ten Hag to Remain as Man Utd Manager Until Christmas Despite Liverpool Defeat

Gary Neville's Insights on Erik ten Hag's Future

In the wake of Manchester United's disheartening 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, football pundit Gary Neville shares his thoughts on the future of manager Erik ten Hag. Despite the lackluster performance, Neville maintains that Ten Hag is likely to remain in his position until at least Christmas.

The Match Breakdown

The match showcased a dominant Liverpool side with Luis Diaz scoring twice in the first half, assisted by Mohamed Salah, who later added a third goal. With this loss, Manchester United has managed just one win out of their first three matches in the Premier League, placing them in the bottom half of the table.

Need for a Much-Needed Break

Neville emphasized that United could greatly benefit from the upcoming international break. He stated, "Some clubs want the international break, some clubs don't. I think Manchester United need it. They need to regroup. They're only three games in!" This pause could potentially allow the team to recover key players like Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Hojlund and develop a cohesive game strategy moving forward.

The Road Ahead for Ten Hag

Neville recognizes the pressure building on Ten Hag following his team's disappointing start to the season. He noted that ownership, including INEOS and Dan Ashworth, appear grounded and unlikely to make hasty decisions. "Within three or four months, they have made the decision to keep him. They will get four or five months. What they can't be is mid-table come Christmas, but he is going to get a few months, there's no doubt about that," Neville explained.

Fans' Frustration at Old Trafford

Old Trafford was filled with frustration, especially in the second half, where boos echoed after the third goal was scored. Neville pointed out that Manchester United fans, typically supportive, were uncharacteristically vocal against players like Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.

Rashford's Struggles

Neville expressed concern over Rashford's performance, stating, "It is getting hard for Manchester United fans to watch Rashford in his current form." He pointed out that Rashford failed to hit the target against Liverpool and highlighted that his timid approach during a one-on-one situation with Konate is indicative of his current struggle.

Looking Ahead: Liverpool's Prospects

On the other hand, Liverpool's new manager, Arne Slot, is already making an impact. Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher praised Slot's successful debut at Old Trafford, suggesting that this could be a pivotal moment for both him and the team, as they may be closer to title contention than initially thought.

A Day of Reflection for Ten Hag and the Team

Neville concluded that the defeat serves as a reality check for Ten Hag and his players, as well as the new ownership, who must consider whether they are on the right path. The road ahead is challenging, but with a careful strategy and player recovery, there's hope for Manchester United to turn their season around.