“A disgrace”, “shambles”, “embarrassing,” were his words.
Ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville did not hold back after watching his former side torn apart by a devastating Liverpool team on Sunday March 5, 2023.
The 7-0 thrashing was United’s joint-heaviest competitive defeat – matching those by the same score against Blackburn Rovers in April 1926, Aston Villa in December 1930 and Wolves in December 1931.
Six of the goals came in a stunning second-half Liverpool display, with their opponents simply unable – or possibly even unwilling to cope.
Neville singled out captain Bruno Fernandes for individual criticism.
“The second half has been an absolute disgrace,” he said.
‘Eaten Alive Out There’
“It was shambles, epitomised by captain Bruno Fernandes, who has been embarrassing at times.
“They’ve not understood the dangers of this fixture. The Manchester United players have been eaten alive out there.”
Fernandes’ frustration at the events unfolding around him became more apparent, as the half wore on.
At one point, when substitute Stefan Bajcetic skipped past him by the touchline, he stopped rather than trying to chase down the young midfielder.
Neville was also angered by Fernandes appearing to gesture to the bench when Marcus Rashford was substituted in the 85th minute, possibly to question why he was not taken off.
“He is holding his hands up asking: ‘Why am I not coming off?'” Neville said during the game, before later adding: “I have had enough of Fernandes throwing his arms around, whining at everyone, holding his face when touched.”
“That wasn’t a captain’s performance from a Manchester United player and I am sure Erik ten Hag will deal with that.”
“I am sure normal service will be resumed but they have to own that because that is a disgrace.”
Fernandes RoleÂ
Fernandes also appeared to give the referee’s assistant a push, which was pointed out by some fans on social media.
Fellow former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was equally dismayed by Fernandes’ behaviour.
“Fernandes’ body language today was nothing short of disgraceful,” Keane said.
“A really talented boy, he’s your captain, but his body language, waving his arms, not running back… you wouldn’t be happy with him in your dressing room.”
Despite his reaction on the pitch, Fernandes did front up to the media afterwards.
“It is very frustrating, disappointing, sad because it is a really bad result,” he said.
“We had setbacks in the past and we have to come back quickly again. This is what Manchester United are about. We can go down but we have to get back up.”
United: Liverpool Were Like Liverpool Of Old
To focus solely on Manchester United’s failings in the game would do a disservice to just how good Liverpool were.
The Reds reignited their challenge for a top-four spot with a performance that harked back to some of their dominant displays in recent years, as they defended strongly and attacked with devastating pace.
Summer signing Darwin Nunez and January arrival Cody Gakpo both scored doubles, along with fellow forward Mohamed Salah, sparking excitement about the attacking trident’s future.
“It was like a new variation of the old front three at Liverpool,” Birmingham striker Troy Deeney told Match of the Day.”
“Younger, faster and stronger. Gakpo is a new 2.0 of Bobby Firmino. The best thing I love is there was always one of them in the middle of the goal. They are like the flying arrows.”
“Nunez and Gakpo are 23 years old. Their ceiling [is] through the roof. They are frightening.”
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Former Reds midfielder Graeme Souness added: “In the second half, that was the Liverpool of old. They were first to everything.”
“When you watch the very best teams, when you watch Liverpool and Manchester City play at their best, you think they have an extra man. That’s how it appeared today in the second half.”
