Gary Neville - Pundit

[BAMSOLA]

Anyone who has a problem with what Gary is saying is just in denial

Unfortunately this.

 

[Werewolf]

he clearly has nothing of the sort... that's just something you've decided. he has set the set up is wrong and it so obviously is

Yes he has.

So he is meant to comment on the game whilst not mentioning our clear flaws?

He is meant to provide insights, be charitable and try to think of why Amorim has chosen to set up in such a way, what circumstances and factors have lead to such a decision. Instead, he has been repeatedly moaning for 45 minutes about how bewildered he is that Amorim did not set up the team in the way he thought he should have. Absolute stupidity.

 

[astracrazy]

He should do what most other commentators do. Call what you see, and give opinions on individual events as they come up.

There's no need to just constantly drone on and on and on about the same things. It just makes the viewing experience worse for everybody watching.

He is calling what he can see and what most of us can as well.

 

[FriedClams]

Neville just isn’t a likeable personality and has a VERY annoying whiny accent. Take everything he says verbatim, but imagine Morgan freeman saying it. Softens it a lot.

 

[mitchmouse]

Yes he has.


He is meant to provide insights, be charitable and try to think of why Amorim has chosen to set up in such a way, what circumstances and factors have lead to such a decision. Instead, he has been repeatedly moaning for 45 minutes about how bewildered he is that Amorim did not set up the team in the way he thought he should have. Absolute stupidity.

prove it. as i said, you've just made it up

 

[Northstand]

No, some fans don't assume, as he does, that Amorim is a cluesless clown who would, out of sheer stupidity, set up a team with such glaring mistakes that you "wouldn't see in an Under-9 team". He clearly has an agenda.

This is my main gripe with the man...he simply doesn't use this sort of hyperbole with any other side.

 

[Rooney1987]

It’s funny that our fanbase seems to love Amorim saying they’re all shite but a pundit on tv saying it is the problem.

That isn't what is happening. No one is angry about him saying bad things about United. Neville said this “Amorim is really angry. He is going mad at his bench. He is shouting at people. I'm not sure what he is angry about. The biggest problem l can see is how this team are set up.” Not sure what he is angry about? Might be Garnacho missing a one on one or the keeper just giving the ball to Madderson or the 5 defenders in the box letting Madderson score. The setup has nothing to do with Garnacho missing that chance, Neville clearly has an agenda.

 

[The Sad Clown]

Maybe Gary is actively campaigning against Amorim in the hope that Gareth will be his replacement?

 

[Pexbo]

That isn't what is happening. No one is angry about him saying bad things about United. Neville said this “Amorim is really angry. He is going mad at his bench. He is shouting at people. I'm not sure what he is angry about. The biggest problem l can see is how this team are set up.” Not sure what he is angry about? Might be Garnacho missing a one on one or the keeper just giving the ball to Madderson or the 5 defenders in the box letting Madderson score. The setup has nothing to do with Garnacho missing that chance, Neville clearly has an agenda.

Yep it’s clear as day that Neville’s views aren’t balanced, objective or insightful. Everything he says makes clear he doesn’t like Amorim and isn’t in the slightest bit interested in seeing his side of the story. Just negative hyperbole all the time from him.

The fact he also said earlier “United might even go on to win this but it doesn’t change anything”. Which tells you everything you need to know about his position.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

This is my main gripe with the man...he simply doesn't use this sort of hyperbole with any other side.

Didn't he say David Luiz was like a player being controlled by a kid in FIFA game or something?

 

[davidmichael]

Neville hasn’t said anything that isn’t a fact though and it’s simply a case of stating the obvious unless people are in denial of how piss poor we are

I lost count of how many times Spurs played through us as Casemiro was on his own most of the time whilst Fernandes drifted around and our wing backs for the most part play as part of a back 5 rather than to the side of the midfield.

How poor we are tactically and positionally being highlighted publicly is almost a way of trying to get us to try something different, at times it’s like watching kids play down the local park on a Sunday morning.

 

[UnsungHero]

Neville has a big voice in the media (globally) when it comes to United and he's constantly over dramatic.

Instead of "I'm not quite sure why Bruno is in this position" it's "Look at where Bruno is, this is just a disgrace, what IS going on"

He does it on purpose and it really doesn't help. And I say that as someone who generally doesn't mind him.

 

[Zlatan 7]

We look hopeless and it hurts hearing out loud on the tele

 

[flameinthesun]

I totally agree. Amorim is a master of his own destruction.

Yup. Those blaming Neville for what he's saying when most of what he is saying we are all seeing are just taking their frustration out on him. They should take that frustration out on a poor managerial display.

 

[Freeman]

I dont really have an issue with Gary, but he was super irritating this evening.

 

[bstb3]

I swear Sky could just get someone to get some AI scouse voice to read out our matchday thread instead of having Gary commentating and it would still be a) more insightful and b) less annoying. They'd save a packet too.

 

[IRELANDUNITED]

He’s gone beyond pathetic at this stage, he’s no fan of this club, he was just lucky enough to play for it. I never thought I’d see a day when I despise an ex United player more than an ex Liverpool player but we’ve reached that time now with Neville.

He never misses an opportunity to stick the boot in, constantly running down the manager, something he never did when Ole was there by the way. He’s always slagging off the players, if that was Liverpool playing today he’d be signing their praises for the heroic effort they’ve put in with all the injuries they had, but with United it’s just one constant negativity after another and this coming from a man who was a total failure as a manager.

If he wants to be critical of something why not the ownership who is solely to blame for the state the club is in? Oh that’s rights it’s because he is on the payroll now so he hasn’t the balls to call them out anymore. I’m not surprised though, he shown his true colours in Qatar.

Pathetic little man who was a bang average footballer himself, he’s was just very lucky to play in an exceptional side with the greatest manager of all time.

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

He’s gone beyond pathetic at this stage, he’s no fan of this club, he was just lucky enough to play for it. I never thought I’d see a day when I despise an ex United player more than an ex Liverpool player but we’ve reached that time now with Neville.

He never misses an opportunity to stick the boot in, constantly running down the manager, something he never did when Ole was there by the way. He’s always slagging off the players, if that was Liverpool playing today he’d be signing their praises for the heroic effort they’ve put in with all the injuries they had, but with United it’s just one constant negativity after another and this coming from a man who was a total failure as a manager.

If he wants to be critical of something why not the ownership who is solely to blame for the state the club is in? Oh that’s rights it’s because he is on the payroll now so he hasn’t the balls to call them out anymore. I’m not surprised though, he shown his true colours in Qatar.

Pathetic little man who was a bang average footballer himself, he’s was just very lucky to play in an exceptional side with the greatest manager of all time.

Terrible opinion, 5-time PFA Team of the Year, one-time European Team of the Year and 85 caps for England, but they just hand them out for free I guess.

He was just saying what other United fans I know were saying. He gets a bit too emotional about United because he cares. Of course he's a fan of the club. Personally I don't think he should be on commentary for United games because he's not objective.

 

[Stig]

Yes he has.


He is meant to provide insights, be charitable and try to think of why Amorim has chosen to set up in such a way, what circumstances and factors have lead to such a decision. Instead, he has been repeatedly moaning for 45 minutes about how bewildered he is that Amorim did not set up the team in the way he thought he should have. Absolute stupidity.

And then in the second half Zurkzee plays more defensively and Gary Neville doesn't mention the space in midfield once.

So the manager changed the set up to correct the flaw that Neville had been identifying.

 

[gaffs]

Yes he has.


He is meant to provide insights, be charitable and try to think of why Amorim has chosen to set up in such a way, what circumstances and factors have lead to such a decision. Instead, he has been repeatedly moaning for 45 minutes about how bewildered he is that Amorim did not set up the team in the way he thought he should have. Absolute stupidity.

Be charitable?

What reason do you have Bruno and Casemiro as your midfield pairing, then have Bruno running over to close down the Spurs left back over and over again? Would Ugarte be doing that?

The fact is, the team setup is horrible. 5 at the back means we are always one, or sometimes two men short in midfield.

 

[BarryWinks]

Neville just isn’t a likeable personality and has a VERY annoying whiny accent. Take everything he says verbatim, but imagine Morgan freeman saying it. Softens it a lot.

This made me chuckle. Thanks for the laugh.

I cannot stand his tone and his very opinionated nature. I do however think today was a weird day to be critical of our style or Amorim in general. We created plenty we just couldn't score in a brothel. Nothing the system or manager can do to fix that besides getting better, more clinical players in unfortunately.

And I say that as someone who isn't a fan of the system in general.

 

[gaffs]

He’s gone beyond pathetic at this stage, he’s no fan of this club, he was just lucky enough to play for it. I never thought I’d see a day when I despise an ex United player more than an ex Liverpool player but we’ve reached that time now with Neville.

He never misses an opportunity to stick the boot in, constantly running down the manager, something he never did when Ole was there by the way. He’s always slagging off the players, if that was Liverpool playing today he’d be signing their praises for the heroic effort they’ve put in with all the injuries they had, but with United it’s just one constant negativity after another and this coming from a man who was a total failure as a manager.

If he wants to be critical of something why not the ownership who is solely to blame for the state the club is in? Oh that’s rights it’s because he is on the payroll now so he hasn’t the balls to call them out anymore. I’m not surprised though, he shown his true colours in Qatar.

Pathetic little man who was a bang average footballer himself, he’s was just very lucky to play in an exceptional side with the greatest manager of all time.

I think you are hearing what you want to hear. If you listen to him post match, he went in hard on the ownership and The Glazers. He always does.

There is a lot of objective criticism to be made towards Amorim without blaming him for all the issues. Neville has said over and over that the recruitment is poor - it is. That is not this managers fault.

But in commentary, there is no point in talking about the ownership. United's midfield was wide open at times - Stevie Wonder could see that.

Yes, we are down men including Ugarte and Manioo from the midfield, but that is even more reason to call it out. When you are weak in one area, you do your best to sure it up and Amorim isn't doing that. He is sticking to his system regardless. I thought he would learn the lesson from the Newcastle humiliation where Casemiro and Eriksen got bossed, but he hasn't. Zirkzee dropping in isnt the answer, as it wasnt in the Newcastle game.

 

[RuudTom83]

For some reason it's like the entire sky sports team re-watch the 99 and 08 season before every matchday, and then can't fathom what they are witnessing.

Truth is United haven't been free flowing or able to score a goal for about 3 seasons now. It is not a shock or surprise when that same bloody team kicks off. Not much can change week by week, especially when the team at kick-off is missing 5-6 senior players from the previous week.

He should have some perspective and stop fuelling the OTT drama.

 

[FriedClams]

This made me chuckle. Thanks for the laugh.

I cannot stand his tone and his very opinionated nature. I do however think today was a weird day to be critical of our style or Amorim in general. We created plenty we just couldn't score in a brothel. Nothing the system or manager can do to fix that besides getting better, more clinical players in unfortunately.

And I say that as someone who isn't a fan of the system in general.

I genuinely think we have to just ride this season out and find a way to make it funny. There is absolutely no chance we win any silverware or qualify for Europe anyway.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Be charitable?

What reason do you have Bruno and Casemiro as your midfield pairing, then have Bruno running over to close down the Spurs left back over and over again? Would Ugarte be doing that?

The fact is, the team setup is horrible. 5 at the back means we are always one, or sometimes two men short in midfield.

That’s not true though. Having 5 at the back allows a centre back give us that extra body in midfield. Which was really fecking obviously happening seeing as, time and time again, Maz was the United player who got tightest to Maddison. Neville was too busy screeching about “embarrassing” and “nine a side football” to do what he was paid for and actually analyse what was happening on the pitch. He’s just really bad at his job. So it should be no surprise that people get annoyed at this.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

The "5 at the back" tripe does frankly does my head in. Almost all sides in the league attack in a 3-2-5 structure. Amorim's set up is a tactically a. direct counter to it. The chief issue we have is our 5 guys manning the line don't fully understand their duties:

i. The two wing defenders are supposed to stay aggressive to who ever is on the flank stopping all attempts at crosses. Plus NEVER tracking men infield nor allowing to be dragged in field by opposing player movent. Just defend the flank agressively.

ii. The two wide center backs are supposed to be tracking men and be constantly aggressive in stepping out. If they are not marking men they should be tracking shots at goal ready to follow in on loose balls like Madison did.


ii. The central center back is supposed to be the spare man to double team the sole striker and the become spare Man in midfield in build up and defending.

iii. The two 10s are supposed to keep track of the opposing wing backs. Whilst also shuttling in the middle to help outnumber the opposing midfield.

iv. The striker is supposed to shadow cover our double pivot and with the spare center center back form a defensive diamond in the middle without the ball.


Biggest issue this squad currently has is they have not fully understood their roles
Nor how to be consistently agressive in this system. Nor learnt that the nature of the shape means they can go very aggressive and get on top of opponents as they try to build up without a fear of being hit on the counter because there is ample cover plus a sweeper keeper.

 

[SER19]

Hes an absolute piece of shit to be honest. Has spent 10 years on sky commentary hammering United and overreacting to absolutely every United foul, potential penalty conceded and so on, just enabling the horrific officiating we've seen because hes so desperate for other fans not to hate him.

 

[gaffs]

The "5 at the back" tripe does frankly does my head in. Almost all sides in the league attack in a 3-2-5 structure. Amorim's set up is a tactically a. direct counter to it. The chief issue we have is our 5 guys manning the line don't fully understand their duties:

i. The two wing defenders are supposed to stay aggressive to who ever is on the flank stopping all attempts at crosses. Plus NEVER tracking men infield nor allowing to be dragged in field by opposing player movent. Just defend the flank agressively.

ii. The two wide center backs are supposed to be tracking men and be constantly aggressive in stepping out. If they are not marking men they should be tracking shots at goal ready to follow in on loose balls like Madison did.


ii. The central center back is supposed to be the spare man to double team the sole striker and the become spare Man in midfield in build up and defending.

iii. The two 10s are supposed to keep track of the opposing wing backs. Whilst also shuttling in the middle to help outnumber the opposing midfield.

iv. The striker is supposed to shadow cover our double pivot and with the spare center center back form a defensive diamond in the middle without the ball.


Biggest issue this squad currently has is they have not fully understood their roles
Nor how to be consistently agressive in this system. Nor learnt that the nature of the shape means they can go very aggressive and get on top of opponents as they try to build up without a fear of being hit on the counter because there is ample cover plus a sweeper keeper.

Agree with all of this, but if they cant do it, which we have seen for the past 20 or so games that they cant, then maybe, until they can be coached to do so, then it is time to go with something they can do.

 

[littlepeasoup]

To those people who get so wound up about him; even though he’s everywhere it’s still incredibly easy to ignore him.

 

[Ole'sgunnarwin]

I like him, he speaks the truth but people can't handle the truth on here. And he doesn't just go over the top with United, he's done it with Chelsea, he's done it with Tottenham. He's hardly going to be positive about a team who are 15th and can't score goals. There are huge problems with players and the tactics and he's given his opinion. He's a club legend so he's every right to say what he wants.

 

[kerrygold]

Didn't he say David Luiz was like a player being controlled by a kid in FIFA game or something?

I mean, he wasn’t wrong there.

 

[gaffs]

That’s not true though. Having 5 at the back allows a centre back give us that extra body in midfield. Which was really fecking obviously happening seeing as, time and time again, Maz was the United player who got tightest to Maddison. Neville was too busy screeching about “embarrassing” and “nine a side football” to do what he was paid for and actually analyse what was happening on the pitch. He’s just really bad at his job. So it should be no surprise that people get annoyed at this.

Yes, at times he was, but i saw him on multiple occasions in line with the back 5 and Madison in midfield looking to receive.

Would much rather see a body in midfield that could take responsibility for picking up a player like Madison. Maybe he would have prevented the goal. Because Maz cant be in that possition when he is right of a back three.

And it doesnt explain my point as to why Bruno is running out to press the Spurs left back. Playing 5 at the back, with this group of players, is leaving us outnumbered in other areas.

 

[gaffs]

I like him, he speaks the truth but people can't handle the truth on here. And he doesn't just go over the top with United, he's done it with Chelsea, he's done it with Tottenham. He's hardly going to be positive about a team who are 15th and can't score goals. There are huge problems with players and the tactics and he's given his opinion. He's a club legend so he's every right to say what he wants.

Agree.
Roy Keane has gone in much harder and I dont see a Roy Keane pundit thread ???

 

[Martial'sEmergingSmile]

He never misses an opportunity to stick the boot in, constantly running down the manager, something he never did when Ole was there by the way. He’s always slagging off the players, if that was Liverpool playing today he’d be signing their praises for the heroic effort they’ve put in with all the injuries they had, but with United it’s just one constant negativity after another and this coming from a man who was a total failure as a manager.

If he wants to be critical of something why not the ownership who is solely to blame for the state the club is in? Oh that’s rights it’s because he is on the payroll now so he hasn’t the balls to call them out anymore. I’m not surprised though, he shown his true colours in Qatar.

Yep, feel exactly the same. He's an opportunisitic, greed-is-good, hypercapitalistic, LinkedIn productivity wanker who will excuse anything if it personally benefits him. He tailors his criticism so transparently through his personal and financial relationships. Understandable in some ways but he can still be criticised for it.

For this post I'm just going to focus on the ownership but it's also true in regards to his hypercritical nature of certain managers and how he's historically had double standards towards players & coaches who've did work with him on The Overlap.

So, ownership:

He spent multiple years hammering the Glazers on an almost weekly basis, but (self-admittedly) only when he was off the payroll. Which is understandable, I think.

From 2022:

"I regret not speaking out about them sooner. I don't want to come up with excuses. It was probably because we were successful. I worked on the theory at the time that we could have worse owners. They were quite passive. I never saw any interference while I was at the club as a player. I started to speak out about two or three years ago. Many fans will say I should have done it earlier and I can't disagree with them. I can have regrets about it all my life, but the reality is I have spoken out in the last two or three years quite a lot."

After his change of heart he had plenty of thoughts on who our new owners should be:

"Let's make sure we don't jump out of the frying pan into the fire. We need to know what the manifesto is. We need to understand exactly what they're going to do in that first five to seven years. There are some things that are absolutely non-negotiable:

• The main thing is that the Glazers leave as soon as possible.
• Beyond the Glazers leaving, I don't think United can afford to be with another [owner] where they're expecting a return on the money. People who are still looking for a return on their money and a return on their investment.
• Manchester United need a debt-free football club with someone who is willing to put money into it.
• They need to put money into the football project, the fan experience and fan involvement: they're really important things
• Lastly there has to be heavy investment in the facilities, the infrastructure, the training ground, the stadium. (As an example, Neville suggested at different times during this period that we needed a '£250m', '£300 to £400m' and 'a £500m refurb' to our training facilities. In reality, INEOS announced a £50m upgrade)

So 0/5 then? 1/5 if you think that talking a lot about eventually doing something is the same as actually doing something.

Neville was also VERY clear about his opinions on a part sale:

If the reports are true that the Glazer Family are ready to part sell ahead of a full sale it’s totally unacceptable.... Apollo (the rumoured minority investors at the time) have been mentioned but they need to know they will not be welcomed in Manchester

In regards to a different minority investment being rumoured (Caryle group)

No thank you! This doesn’t work for United!
The Glazer PR machine keeps leaking this type of minority partnership out there bi-weekly whist stressing it’s a confidential process! Full Sale Only

And finally a quote that I'm shocked hasn't been brought up to him repeatedly:

It is absolutely right that it needs to be a full sale and I think it will be. I am not sure any new party will put in money with the Glazers as a partner. Any party that comes into this club that has the Glazer’s as a partner is going to be deemed as being in bed with them and that would not go down well with the fans. They will not taint their own reputation. I can’t see anyone being that silly and naïve to leave them in.

Almost exactly a year after this quote - 367 days to be precise - his mate Jim comes in, makes him very much part of the new stadium project and all the money that comes with that - both in terms of contracts and likely in influencing fan opinion, as well as regeneration of a city where Neville holds multiple financial interests - and suddenly there's not a peep from him about any of this.

Maybe in 20 years we'll get another "I regret not speaking about them sooner but..."

Also have a look at his quotes about job losses under the Glazers versus his absolute silence during Glazers/INEOS. Or his thoughts on ticket price rises when it wasn't INEOS.

 

[Betson]

Anyone who has a problem with what Gary is saying is just in denial

Exactly , it seems to many if Gary just would stop pointing out what is actually happening we could all just pretend it is not happening.

 

[MalaysianRed7]

This is my main gripe with the man...he simply doesn't use this sort of hyperbole with any other side.

That’s not fair. He was making up derisory nursery rhymes for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final last season. He’s called a professional footballer a PlayStation player. He calls Spurs every name under the sun as long as it’s related to bottling.

Besides, even if he does, so do I, and you, and everyone else on this forum. We’re harder on United because we support and love United, and because United are absolutely crap.

 

[Reiver]

I like him, he speaks the truth but people can't handle the truth on here. And he doesn't just go over the top with United, he's done it with Chelsea, he's done it with Tottenham. He's hardly going to be positive about a team who are 15th and can't score goals. There are huge problems with players and the tactics and he's given his opinion. He's a club legend so he's every right to say what he wants.

I've never had a problem with his punditry. He just tells it how it is. If he doesn't praise United very much it's because there isn't very much to praise. And that's been the case for over a decade now.

 

[Desert Eagle]

I

100% and I am glad more people are seeing through it now. My post history in this thread is littered with years of saying they are toxic as feck as pundits, they turn on any manager who they don't like, have unhidden biases, make flippant comments almost weekly which are a constant noise to the players. But it's ok, because enough dimwits see G Nev make an insta post with a glass of red when United win and ignore the verbal cascade of negativity he and his mates spew about all things United. It's a classic case of supporting, this being the key word, your team when it suits you.

Yep, feel exactly the same. He's an opportunisitic, greed-is-good, hypercapitalistic, LinkedIn productivity wanker who will excuse anything if it personally benefits him. He tailors his criticism so transparently through his personal and financial relationships. Understandable in some ways but he can still be criticised for it.

For this post I'm just going to focus on the ownership but it's also true in regards to his hypercritical nature of certain managers and how he's historically had double standards towards players & coaches who've did work with him on The Overlap.

So, ownership:

He spent multiple years hammering the Glazers on an almost weekly basis, but (self-admittedly) only when he was off the payroll. Which is understandable, I think.

From 2022:


After his change of heart he had plenty of thoughts on who our new owners should be:


So 0/5 then? 1/5 if you think that talking a lot about eventually doing something is the same as actually doing something.

Neville was also VERY clear about his opinions on a part sale:


In regards to a different minority investment being rumoured (Caryle group)


And finally a quote that I'm shocked hasn't been brought up to him repeatedly:


Almost exactly a year after this quote - 367 days to be precise - his mate Jim comes in, makes him very much part of the new stadium project and all the money that comes with that - both in terms of contracts and likely in influencing fan opinion, as well as regeneration of a city where Neville holds multiple financial interests - and suddenly there's not a peep from him about any of this.

Maybe in 20 years we'll get another "I regret not speaking about them sooner but..."

Also have a look at his quotes about job losses under the Glazers versus his absolute silence during Glazers/INEOS. Or his thoughts on ticket price rises when it wasn't INEOS.

100%. Gary Neville the player was fantastic. Smart, physical and always gave 100%. Gary Neville the pundit is a self serving sky sucking wanker and nothing exposes that like his opinions on the Glazers/INEOS.

 

[noelyman]

This is my main gripe with the man...he simply doesn't use this sort of hyperbole with any other side.

Yeah he was way overboard yesterday with such comments again. There have been plenty of teams that look shambolic but he never goes in two footed on them the way he does on United. I've no problem with him pointing out flaws in the system or our poor performances both as a team and player.

But if he accused other sides of playing like 'under 9s' I think they'd rightly have a go at him. But I think he feels that as an ex united player he can be harsher on us than with other teams. It just gets annoying after the umpteenth time and it's especially uncalled for when he's so harsh.

Yes he did once say the Chelsea player was 'controlled in the stands by someone like a playstation. But he has also said publically on numerous occasions that he overstepped the mark there and shouldn't have done because such criticism was personal. So he regrets the Chelsea comment from years ago but says similarly scathing things about United ALL THE TIME.

 

[lsd]

If prime Neville were playing in this team we would still be in the exact same position.

A lot of these ex players don't seem to realise no matter how good they may have been that they were fortunate to play in an excellent team managed by Fergie surrounded by world class players in every other position.

It's easy to criticise when they haven't faced the same challenges today's players are facing.