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Liverpool FC Supporters Club

Carragher and Neville Clash Over Erik ten Hag After Man Utd’s Derby Disappointment

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Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville found themselves embroiled in a heated post-Manchester United vs. Manchester City debate, following United’s dismal 3-0 defeat on Sunday. Erling Haaland scored twice, and Phil Foden added another goal to secure a commanding win for City at Old Trafford.

With this victory, City climbed to third place, while United continued to languish in eighth. The loss marked the sixth defeat for United in their last eight derbies across all competitions, amplifying the pressure on United’s manager, Erik ten Hag.

Despite a significant investment of nearly £200 million in new signings during the summer, the Dutch manager’s tenure has been under scrutiny. Carragher had been vocal about questioning Ten Hag’s position in the week leading up to the game, setting the stage for the fiery exchange.

Carragher initiated the debate on Sky Sports, expressing his frustration with United’s playing style: “None of us here can still explain what Manchester United try to do, in terms of how they play. He’s [Ten Hag] been here now nearly 18 months, we’ve seen Unai Emery come in at Aston Villa, [Ange] Postecoglou at Tottenham. That doesn’t mean you win every week, but when you go to the games, you know what you’re going to see. We still don’t know what we’re going to see at Manchester United. You tell me how they play with the ball.”

Neville, adopting a diplomatic tone, agreed with Carragher’s assessment: “No. And Carra, to be honest with you, I can’t disagree with you. Those managers you are talking about come into stable environments. They [United] have currently got a guy over their heads, a guy all over the news, [Sir Jim Ratcliffe] who is going to own 25% [of the club].”

However, Carragher’s exclamation of “No, Gary. No” disrupted Neville’s explanation, leading to a moment of frustration. Neville retorted, “Listen to me. Why will you not listen? Why do I have to listen to you, but you won’t listen to me?”

Neville elaborated on the turmoil surrounding the club, discussing the potential impact of external ownership: “Imagine you’re in a football club, and the news is there is a guy [Ratcliffe] that will come in and wipe out the whole football department. Imagine what is going on in and around Ten Hag, it is toxic. I know you can say ‘carry on,’ but imagine what’s happening. Jim Ratcliffe is going to come in with Dave Brailsford, and they are going to sweep out the football department, and they will all get moved away. That’s what’s happening.”

He continued, “I honestly believe this toxicity that exists at this club eats alive every manager that comes and every player. Harry Maguire was going to go to Manchester City, Mason Mount to Liverpool. They come here, and it’s a graveyard for them. Are we going to keep blaming the kids in the class, or are we going to blame the headteacher?”

Carragher challenged Neville, seeking to analyze Ten Hag’s role despite the ownership issue: “So you can’t analyze anything Erik ten Hag does?”

Visibly frustrated, Neville responded, “Of course you can.”

Returning to his core argument, Carragher emphasized the importance of evaluating the playing style, irrespective of ownership concerns: “Everything goes back to the ownership… of course it’s not right, and the supporters are not happy. What you’re talking about is a style of football. What he’s [Ten Hag] doing on a training pitch Monday to Friday has got nothing to do with Jim Ratcliffe coming in. What does he want those players to do? When they’re building out from the back, and we see every top team do it, what are Manchester United trying to do with the ball? They are playing underdog football, and they have done so since he came in.”

Neville attempted to interject, but Carragher halted him, stating, “Gary, let me finish. You just spoke before. You play counter-attack and a lot of long balls. No other top team plays like that. That’s nothing to do with what’s going on above him. What is he doing on the training pitch? You can’t see it!”

Neville wrapped up his argument, acknowledging the broader problems at Manchester United: “Carra, I completely agree with you. They have allowed another manager to dictate policy and tail-wag the dog on recruitment. They brought eight players in from a league that Erik ten Hag thinks he trusts. They did the same with Ole, Jose, and Van Gaal. The problems are above it. I’m not saying he’s not culpable for the mistakes he makes. I don’t like the football at all; I have no idea what the repeated patterns are that they are trying to put in place. The bigger picture at Manchester United is we’ve seen great managers, with great reputations, and great players just die in front of our eyes. Why is that? How do we answer that question?”