Gary Neville makes huge claim about ‘absolutely pathetic’ Man Utd | Football

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts after teammate Lisandro Martinez scores an own goal and Fulham's first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
It was another poor performance from Manchester United on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Gary Neville reckons a 15 minute spell in Manchester United’s draw with Fulham was the worst he has ever seen in 46 years of watching the club.

The Red Devils continued their poor start to the season with a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, with Lisandro Martinez scoring a comical own goal before Matheus Cunha’s late deflected effort rescued a point.

The Brazilian’s equaliser meant it was not a disastrous afternoon for Michael Carrick’s team, but there is much work to do for the manager.

Manchester United were not impressive at all for much of the game and Neville was stunned by how poor they were and what he saw as a lack of effort.

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The 51-year-old, in fact, felt it was as bad as he has ever seen from any Manchester United team.

‘I’ve watched Man United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen. Absolutely pathetic,’ Neville said on Sky Sports. ‘I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must Carrick be thinking?’

He added: ‘I’m finding it really hard about the walking about. You should never walk around on a football pitch. It’s bizarre.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - September 20, 2026 Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez scores Fulham's first with an own goal REUTERS/Toby Melville EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
Lisandro Martinez bizarrely scored past his own goalkeeper (Picture: REUTERS)

‘It’s a few minutes of the blue mannequins playing against the white mannequins and then it switches around, bizarre football match.

‘Neither side will go anywhere with this lack of urgency. Just look at them: They are walking!’

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The former England defender did not seem to be blaming Carrick for his players’ underwhelming actions, instead feeling sorry for the manager.

‘If I was Michael Carrick I’d be worried about the message the players are sending him, coming out of the half time talk with this lack of urgency is remarkable,’ he said.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts on the touchline during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Sunday September 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or
Michael Carrick have won just one of their first five league games (Picture: PA Wire)

Former Red Devils player Ashley Young said after the game: ‘They were too slow, they were walking, they were jogging, there wasn’t enough urgency in the game.

‘I wanted to see more passes being risked in the final third. It was too slow.’

It is just the fifth point of Manchester United’s season, with one win from their first five Premier League games.

They end the game 12th in the table, with Fulham 19th as they remain winless so far this campaign.

Gary Neville makes huge claim about ‘absolutely pathetic’ Man Utd | Football

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