Former English footballer turned commentator Gary Neville has called out Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes over statements they made recently.
The two Manchester United players recently fired a salvo at the club’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a 4-2 loss against Leicester City.
What Paul Pogba Said
United lost at Old King Power Stadium. Pogba while speaking separately post-match, called for “imminent changes” – an indirect way to call for Ole Gunnar’s sacking.
“We have been having these kind of games for a long time and haven’t found the problem,” Pogba told BBC.
He explained that with the pressure they are now getting from fans, some changes are needed.
“We need to find the key for this change because we deserved to lose. I don’t know if it is the mindset of the players. We need to change something. We need to find the mentality and tactics to win. We have to look as individuals and as a team to fix this.”
Pogba’s relationship with the United manager is not one of the best and they have clashed more than once. The French international is abrasive and outspoken
Paul Pogba. Photo/Manchester Evening News
What Bruno Fernandes Said
A while back after a 1-1 draw against Everton, Fernandes poked holes in Ole Gunnar’s decisions.
“We have to learn and the time is now,” Fernandes said in an outburst.
He added: “We cannot do this anymore. We did it so many times, we cannot slow the game down when we’re winning.
“We have to make it quicker, score once again, get one or two more goals and after that, maybe you can slow it down and make them run a bit more.”
Why Gary Neville Called Pogba, Fernandes Out
Neville while speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football said this kind of demeaning the Manchester united manager should stop.
The ex-Man United player maintained that Pogba and Fernandes’ utterances left him unimpressed.
He opened up on having issues with Pogba as a midfielder.
“I’ve had my issues with Paul Pogba in midfield. I’ve had my issues with Paul Pogba generally and his agent over the last two years.”
Going hard on the players, he said this whole conversation has less to do with Solskjaer’s management decisions.
“Honestly, it’s like having a windscreen where you’ve got six cracks in it and you have to change it anyway, but you think the crack that is Paul Pogba is the one you should focus on.
“I don’t think this is a Paul Pogba problem. The reason I say that is that on Saturday I watched Ronaldo and Fernandes up front, nothing. I saw them flailing their arms a few times at a couple of their teammates which I didn’t like. That needs to stop!
“I saw wide players with no intensity in their pressing. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t go back to [Scott] McTominay and Fred and he can’t go back to Matic and Fred because the reality is we know what that delivers.
“It won’t deliver Manchester United success and Solskjaer has brought all these talented players in.”
Why Is Gary Neville Defending Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
During the show, an outspoken Neville responded to his followers demanding that he calls out Ole Gunnar.
Admitting that the pressure was growing for Ole Gunnar to produce results, he vowed not to criticize him.
Neville said that despite having world-class players at his disposal, criticizing Ole Gunnar would be his last resolve.
“The club is not going to change him. It’s not the right time to discuss it right now.
Gary Neville. [TEAMtalk]
Neville distanced himself from conversations that would spark hatred with his fellow teammate in the event he gets sacked.
“He’s a club legend, he’s my team-mate, I actually like him a lot. And Manchester United has failed with two previous managers who have been world-class.
“You’re up against three of the best teams in the world in Chelsea, City, and Liverpool, with three of the best managers.
“But the pressure is building. It should do. What a collection of players – they’ve now got to start to perform, and he’s got to get them to perform.”
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