Four Man Utd players leave Gary Neville looking foolish after Liverpool shout

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Gary Neville was very optimistic about Manchester United's midfield this year. (Image: The Overlap.)

Manchester United icon Gary Neville has been left with egg on his face after his comments at the beginning of the season resurfaced, comparing Erik ten Hag’s midfield options with those at Liverpool. The Red Devils’ midfield has been a consistent recipient of criticism this season, most recently in the 4-0 humbling by Crystal Palace, despite Neville’s initial optimism.

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Kobbie Mainoo’s breakthrough campaign has been one of the few saving graces in a disappointing year for United’s midfield. Casemiro was slaughtered by Jamie Carragher for his performance at Selhurst Park and told that he has just a handful of games at the top level before a move to MLS or Saudi Arabia looms.

Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay have impressed in spells, but Ten Hag midfield signings Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat have been unable to make a significant impact. However, going into the season, Neville felt that even Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would be willing to swap their respective midfields.

"When you looked at Liverpool's signings for £30million, £40m a few years ago, those players ended up being some of the best in the world," Neville told The Overlap in August. "When you look at the actual players... let's take United as an example. You've got Fernandes, Mount, Casemiro and (Christian) Eriksen. I think Jurgen Klopp would swap his midfield now for United's.

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Manchester United stars Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen were talked up by Gary Neville. (Image: Getty) Stay up-to-date with the latest Man Utd news Join us on WhatsApp

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"I think there's an element now in the midfield where he's having to overcoach them to outperform. Before, when they signed these players, they ended up being absolutely outstanding and world-class players.

"These lads he's got now, we know they're good players, but it's not the same Liverpool as they were four or five years ago. So he does need now, unfortunately, to go and get one from the top shelf."

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Since Neville’s bold claim about Fernandes, Mount, Casemiro and Eriksen, the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones have helped the Reds to a third-placed Premier League finish, with United lagging 24 points behind.

Neville’s comments have since been brought back into the fray after Carragher reposted a clip of his Sky Sports colleague boasting about the quality that Ten Hag has to call upon.

Just nine months on from Neville’s suggestion, United have fallen into disarray with their midfield unable to rescue them. Ten Hag recently bemoaned not being able to sign Frenkie de Jong last summer, who would have been a drastic improvement on their options. And Neville has been left looking foolish at the idea that United’s options in the middle of the pitch are a better unit than what Liverpool have at their disposal.

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