GARY NEVILLE singled out ’emotional’ Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United’s torrid start against City.
The Red Devils endured another nightmare against one of their biggest rivals at Old Trafford as Eric Bailly scored an early own goal before Bernardo Silva sealed a comfortable 2-0 win.
But it was the playmaker Fernandes who drew particular criticism from Neville on the Sky Sports commentary.
Neville said: “Bruno Fernandes has lost the ball and chased after it, leaving his position. So emotional Bruno Fernandes.
“He is too emotional. Emotion isn’t going to win this game, trust me.”
The comments came during the first half as Fernandes chased down a number of City players who passed the ball around easily.
That left a gap in his No10 role as the champions continued to stamp their authority on the derby victory with plenty of possession.
It was that half-hearted and untimely pressing from Manchester United that led to widespread complaints as Liverpool ran ragged two weeks ago.
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At half-time, studio pundit Gramee Souness also laid into Fernandes for failing to press Joao Cancelo before the cross which Bailly turned in.
Souness said: “Watch Fernandes here. ‘Look, I’m not going to close you down, why don’t you cross the ball?’
“It’s a simple thing but a fundamental thing, stop the cross.
“Do your mates in the middle of the box a favour by putting some pressure on the ball and stopping the cross.
“That is a joke. The second goal is brought about by the same thing, players not doing the little things.”
I have no idea what Wan-Bissaka was thinking, it’s madness.
Gary Neville
Neville later lambasted Aaron Wan-Bissaka for his woeful defending – stepping up and allowing Phil Foden in behind.
The ex-Crystal Palace man was relieved to see David De Gea make a flying stop to thwart Gabriel Jesus.
And the former United right-back said of the current one: “Why on earth is Wan-Bissaka going to press Cancelo and leaving somebody like Phil Foden to run in behind?
“It’s absolute madness. You can’t allow someone like Foden that amount of space and Manchester United get lucky.
“You think they’re going to score after Lindelof’s touch and then you definitely think Gabriel Jesus is going to score but it’s a great save from De Gea.
“I have no idea what Wan-Bissaka was thinking, it’s madness.
“He doesn’t give Eric Bailly a chance down this side but United get away with it.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
