May 3rd 2024.
In a recent interview, Gary Neville opened up about his conversation with Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag. The former United player-turned-pundit shared some interesting insights that Ten Hag had revealed to him off-camera about the team's struggles in the current season.
It's no secret that the Red Devils have been facing some challenges under Ten Hag's leadership, both in terms of results and performances. Rumors have been circulating that the Dutchman's job may be on the line, especially with billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly eyeing a new manager like Thomas Tuchel.
During his appearance as a pundit on Sky Sports alongside Jamie Carragher, Neville was asked about his recent interview with Ten Hag. Carragher was curious about Neville's thoughts on the team's structure, to which Neville responded by mentioning an interesting tidbit that Ten Hag had shared with him privately.
Neville revealed that Ten Hag had emphasized the importance of Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez to the team. These two players have been crucial for United, often stepping into midfield alongside Casemiro to provide pace and aggression during attacks. Neville also mentioned that Ten Hag had expressed this sentiment to him off-camera, indicating that it was something the manager truly believed in.
But Carragher pointed out that Ten Hag had also mentioned this on-camera, to which Neville agreed and added that it was something that was quite obvious to anyone who has been following the team closely. The absence of Shaw and Martinez due to injuries has been a major blow to United's defense.
Neville also shared another important insight that Ten Hag had revealed during their conversation. When Neville probed about his style of play, Ten Hag had reminded him that United had the most clean sheets in the Premier League last season while playing the same way. It wasn't the defense that was the problem, but rather the lack of goals. This, according to Ten Hag, was proof that his style could produce solid defensive stats.
However, as Neville pointed out, the team has been struggling this season despite having the same defensive approach. This led to an interesting discussion between the two pundits about the team's struggles and potential solutions.
One of the main reasons for United's struggles has been injuries to key players like Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez. Shaw, who is the team's first-choice left-back, has only played 12 Premier League games this season due to various injuries. Martinez, a star center-back, has been even more unfortunate, featuring in only nine top-flight games this season.
United's recent 1-1 draw against Burnley was a clear indication of the team's struggles. They will need to improve their performance if they want to secure a win in their next match against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Overall, Neville's interview with Ten Hag provided some valuable insights into the team's struggles and potential solutions. As a trusted pundit and former United player, Neville's words carry a lot of weight and provide valuable insight for fans and analysts alike.
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