MANCHESTER UNITED have been slammed for “bottling” the Manchester derby after their embarrassing 6-3 defeat to Manchester City.
Hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden ensured Pep Guardiola’s side came out with a well-deserved victory against their neighbours.
And Man United legend Gary Neville did not hold back in his assessment of the performance.
“The story of the game is that in the first half Manchester United froze. There’s no doubt they bottled it,” he told Sky Sports.
“They have been really nervous. They have just not handled this derby at all.
“I expected so much more from United. There was no composure. They never settled. They were anxious and nervous on the ball.”
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United, who had not played a league game in almost a month, were four goals down by the time the half-time whistle went.
They made an effort to fightback in the second half but ultimately only managed to make their goal difference slightly more appealing.
The last domestic fixture Erik ten Hag’s side participated in saw them beat North London derby victors Arsenal 3-1.
Neville added: “There has been promise in the last few weeks from United.
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“But this is a reminder of how far behind they actually are the best team in the country.”
United will return to European action on Thursday and will once again be on the road in their next league game with a trip to Frank Lampard’s Everton.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
