Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville engaged in a fiery Manchester United debate after the club’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
On Sunday, Erling Haaland scored a goal either side of half-time before Phil Foden tapped in to give Manchester City a commanding victory over United at Old Trafford.
The 3-0 win takes City up to third while United are languishing in eighth, having now lost six of the last eight derbies across all competitions.
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Pressure is building on United boss Erik ten Hag, who has now lost five of his 10 league fixtures this term despite spending close to £200million on new signings in the summer.
And after the game Carragher and Neville debated whether Ten Hag was the problem at Old Trafford, with the former having stated for the past week the Dutchman’s position should be in question.
Kicking off the debate Carragher said on Sky Sports: "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 diplomatically answered: "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]."
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At this point, Carragher interjected with "No, Gary. No” to the frustration of his counterpart. Indeed, Neville snapped back: "Listen to me. Why will you not listen? Why do I have to listen to you, but you won't listen to me?"
The former United captain continued: "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.
"I honestly believe this toxicity that exits at this club eats alive every manager that comes and every player.
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“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?"
"So you can't analyse anything Erik ten Hag does?" questioned Carragher in response to the above claim.
Neville, visibly growing in frustration, snapped back: "Of course you can."
Going back to his original point, Carragher replied: "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.
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“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 interrupt his colleague at this point but was quickly stopped in his tracks.
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"Gary, let me finish," said Carragher in a shutdown of his fellow pundit. "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 concluded: "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 and just die in front of our eyes. Why is that? How do we answer that question?"
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Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
