Gary Neville blasts 'bizarre' Man Utd tactic vs Liverpool as Kobbie Mainoo singled out
Manchester United icon Gary Neville was far from happy with Erik ten Hag’s out-of-possession tactics in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Luis Diaz gave the visitors the lead in the first half, before Bruno Fernandes levelled with a stunning 45-yard lob and Kobbie Mainoo's curled effort put United in front, though Mohamed Salah tied from the penalty spot as the spoils were shared.
Related articles Anthony Taylor's football team known as ref gears up for Man Utd vs Liverpool Bruno Fernandes lobs Liverpool keeper from 45 yards with Man Utd's first shotThough Neville, who was on Sky Sports commentary for the blockbuster, picked out a “bizarre” approach that United deployed against Liverpool. Ten Hag’s outfit opted to use man-to-man marking when the visitors had the ball at Old Trafford, but their former defender failed to see the benefits.
When Alexis Mac Allister would drop from midfield to pick the ball up from his goalkeeper or back four, he would often be followed by Mainoo. That forced Fernandes to move deeper to cover for the empty space alongside Casemiro and Neville felt that there was little need for the teenage midfielder to press Mac Allister.
“Look where Mainoo is there,” Neville pinpointed. “He’s ahead of the ball on a throw-in. For a central midfield player I always think - and Bruno Fernandes, he had to run back. Forget about that (man-marking system), forget about Mac Allister, don’t be ahead of the ball. You can always get up to that one.
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Kobbie Mainoo closely marking Alexis Mac Allister. (Image: Getty)Stay up-to-date with the latest Man Utd news Join us on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
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“He’s moving up there now, it defies logic and it’s the basics of the game. Even now he’s chasing across the pitch, he doesn’t need to. (Alejandro) Garnacho and (Rasmus) Hojlund can deal with that. Look at the space in behind him - that space alongside Casemiro there. Mac Allister’s run into that space now. Just the basics.
“Look at where Casemiro and Mainoo have gone now, it opens up a path into there. Honestly, it’s basics. Absolute basics. It’s so easy to play against Manchester United’s midfield.
“It’s the most bizarre and peculiar, and if you’re watching football or if you’ve played midfield - or any position on the pitch - you just know these are the sort of things you learn as a 12-year-old. Bruno’s gone there and he’s no chance of getting anywhere near that pass.”
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Mainoo responded with a sensational effort to give United the lead at 2-1, leaving Neville among many in awe of the new England international. He picked the ball up just inside the Liverpool half, sent it out left and drifted into the box before firing past Caoimhin Kelleher.
"What are we watching? This game is absolutely mad," Neville said as Mainoo found the back of the net. "Manchester United from nowhere, but it is a thing of absolute beauty from Kobbie Mainoo. He sets it out perfectly into that far corner, sets it up with his left foot, strikes it with his right, and the crowd have gone absolutely wild.
"The Theatre of Dreams, but for that man (Jurgen Klopp), is it the Theatre of Nightmares? He’s snapped. Well, I said it wasn’t like the FA Cup game a few weeks ago, about 15 minutes ago. It’s getting there quickly!"
Related articles Man Utd humiliate Liverpool 9-1 as U18 star copies Rooney boxing celebration Man Utd enforcing 'Ronaldo rule' could make life difficult for Dan AshworthGary Neville blasts 'bizarre' Man Utd tactic vs Liverpool as Kobbie Mainoo singled out
Gary Neville blasts 'bizarre' Man Utd tactic vs Liverpool as Kobbie Mainoo singled out
Gary Neville blasts 'bizarre' Man Utd tactic vs Liverpool as Kobbie Mainoo singled out
Gary Neville blasts 'bizarre' Man Utd tactic vs Liverpool as Kobbie Mainoo singled out
Gary Neville blasts 'bizarre' Man Utd tactic vs Liverpool as Kobbie Mainoo singled out
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