JAMIE CARRAGHER has continued to get under Gary Neville’s skin as they ramped up their row over the difficulty of recruiting top managers.
It comes just days after the two pundits got into multiple heated discussions live on Sky Sports, ranging from Erik ten Hag’s job status to the quality of Manchester United’s midfield.
Of course, Liverpool’s 3-0 demolition of United in their own back yard dominated discussion in this week’s episode of Stick to Football.
Neville and Carragher’s latest spat arose as the pair continued to butt heads over the Red Devils’ attempts to replace Ten Hag this summer.
The incident started out with Neville speaking about why United ultimately did not start this season with a new boss, unlike their big rivals.
Neville, 49, said: “Liverpool had six months to replace Jurgen Klopp and still found it quite challenging to get their top two targets.
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Carragher then interjected: “Who was Liverpool’s number one target? You said this on Sunday and I never pulled you up on it. Where are you getting this from that Arne Slot wasn’t the top target?”
A fuming Neville burst in: “Oh my god. Fortunately we do record Stick to Football and fortunately I have a good memory.
“Whereby you said Liverpool will definitely be going for Xabi Alonso.”
Carragher came back with: “That’s my opinion.”
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Neville again said: “Oh my God. You’re now all of a sudden so disconnected with Liverpool that you don’t think they wanted Alonso.”
The two then disagreed over the time it took Alonso to reject Liverpool to remain at Bayer Leverkusen, where he enjoyed a German Invincible season.
Co-host Ian Wright was forced to intervene to get the conversation back on track.
Carragher, 46, then quizzed: “Why did United not go for Slot then?”
To which Neville responded: “They probably looked at Slot, I haven’t got a clue, but they probably thought ‘Can we get a rid of a guy who has won two trophies in two years?’
“Who has not been backed by a proper structure to bring in another Dutch manager.”
Carragher criticised this with: “What do you mean without a proper structure? He’s gone out and brought in everyone he wanted.”
Roy Keane meanwhile couldn’t help but find their ongoing feud comical as the United legend couldn’t hide his smirk throughout the encounter.
Wright had the final say, asserting: “But with all due respect, we should see a style of play and improvement from Ten Hag by now”.
The Dutchman was handed a new contract and a show of faith by the new Ineos decision-makers over the summer, but familiar problems have continued regarding performance.
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Despite the the Carabao Cup and FA Cup won in his first two campaigns, the quality of football at United has been underwhelming – at best.
It’s now two defeats from three for the Red Devils this season, while they regroup during the international break and head to Southampton on Saturday 14.
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Toby Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
