Gary Neville snapped back at Jamie Carragher during a tense post-match exchange after Manchester United failed to lay a glove on Manchester City at Old Trafford. The Red Devils were easily beaten by their local rivals on their own patch, with an Erling Haaland brace helping City on their way before Phil Foden wrapped up the result with a late third goal.
United were simply not good enough to warrant anything less than a defeat against City, who have now beaten the Red Devils in five of their last six meetings. Erik ten Hag's side were devoid of quality for the vast majority of the contest, with their performance highlighting the current gulf in class between the two clubs.
After the final whistle, the Sky Sports panel were debating the extent to which Ten Hag was at fault for United's shambolic performance. Carragher was quick to suggest that a lack of identity was the overwhelming issue, while Neville argued that a 'toxic' culture was more to blame than any managerial shortcomings.
"He's been here now what, nearly 18 months," began Carragher as he pointed the finger at Ten Hag. "We've seen Unai Emery come in at Aston Villa, we've seen Ange Postecoglou come in at Tottenham in a very short space of time. That doesn't mean you have to win every week, but we know what we're going to see. We still don't know what we're going to see from Manchester United."
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher got into a heated debate after the final whistle (Image: SKY SPORTS)
Neville then clapped back by pointing out that United's players have been forced to perform with a media circus over their heads, referring to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's proposed minority investment in the club. Carragher was having none of it and tried to interrupt, saying: "Gary, Gary, no!", but Neville grew frustrated and snapped: "Why will you not listen? Why do I have to listen to you but you won't listen to me?"
The former United defender then went on a passionate rant as he said to Carragher: "You imagine you're in a business, a football club, and the news is there's a guy coming in to wipe out the whole football department. Can you imagine what's going on inside that football department in and around Erik ten Hag? It's toxic and it's embedded negativity.
"I know you can say carry on with it, they're professionals, but can you imagine what's going to happen? Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford are going to sweep out the football department and they're all going to get moved away. That's what's happening.
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"I honestly believe the toxicity that exists at this club, and has done for years by the way, just eats alive every manager and every player that comes. Harry Maguire was going to go to Manchester City, Mason Mount was going to go to Liverpool. They've come here and it's a graveyard for them. Are we going to keep blaming the kids in the class or are we going to blame the headmaster?"
Once Neville had finished his rant, Carragher sarcastically replied: "Okay, so we can't analyse anything Erik ten Hag does ever, because every time they get beaten in a game [it's not his fault]?
"What I'm talking about is a style of football. It has nothing to do with Jim Ratcliffe coming in. What are Manchester United trying to do at the moment? They're playing underdog football. No other top team plays like that and it's nothing to do with what's going on above."
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