Gary Neville 'told off' by Sky Sports host for refusing to answer Man Utd question

Gary Neville was put under pressure on Sky Sports upon refusing to answer a question about Manchester United.

On Sunday Manchester City came from behind to beat United 3-1 at the Etihad, courtesy of a brace from Phil Foden and a late Erling Haaland strike.

Marcus Rashford’s thumping 25-yard strike had given Erik ten Hag’s men an unlikely lead in the first half, only for Foden and Haaland’s goals to end United’s run of 143 Premier League games without losing when leading at the break.

After the game former United captain Neville was quizzed by Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates as to why United are struggling despite a £331million net spend across Ten Hag’s two-year tenure at the club.

​​Neville initially avoided the question, instead complaining that he was tired of responding to comments on United’s spending.

However, Cates came back with a snappy retort that forced Neville into a response.

Cates first said: “There’s always that question at United, where has the money been spent? Why aren’t we seeing it on the pitch?”

Neville replied: “We’ve talked about this night and day. It feels like… We're just tired, Kelly!”

Neville’s answer triggered a raucous response in the studio, with fellow pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards laughing over each other.

But, smiling, Cates fired back: “Well stop talking about it when United aren’t playing, and answer it when they are!”

Neville ultimately responded: “There’s the Pep and Klopp factors, these two unbelievable managers that get the best out of teams, and when they’re still here you can’t compete against them.

“I come back to the fact that are we on the right journey? Going in the right direction? Can you see a style of play and performance level that something’s building?

“Last season was good in the sense of winning a trophy, getting to the Champions League, the FA Cup final, it’s good in terms of setting a foundation.

“This season I wouldn’t expect them to challenge, but to be in sixth, so far off..?

“They’ve lost 11 games in the league, inconsistent, is this because that’s what happens in a second season, and he (Ten Hag) needs a third?

“Or is that what they are and what he is? That’s the challenge Ratcliffe will have.”

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Manchester United, Gary Neville, Manchester City, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.