Gary Neville questions Jose Mourinho about Man United tactics in derby loss
Man United legend Gary Neville questions Jose Mourinho's tactics in their Manchester derby defeat
Gary Neville has questioned why Jose Mourinho didn’t assign two Manchester United players to man mark Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.
The Red Devils welcomed the Premier League leaders to Old Trafford looking to move to within five points of Manchester City with 22 games to go in the title race.
Mourinho was tipped to use Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic to limit the impact of De Bruyne and Silva on the Premier League title clash at Old Trafford.
However, the two Manchester City architects were dominant at the Theatre of Dreams as Pep Guardiola’s side eased to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
While Marcus Rashford cancelled out David Silva’s opening goal on the stroke of half-time, Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi scored the winner from a set-piece.
Manchester City were good value for their three points as Mourinho was outmaneuvered tactically by his bitter foe Guardiola.
Former Manchester United defender Neville raised questions about Mourinho’s tactics following Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over their derby rivals to leave the Red Devils with an unenviable task in the title race.
“”After about five minutes I thought ‘this is going to be a long day’,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“I’ve watched City numerous times this season and if you let Silva and De Bruyne get on the ball and control the rhythm of the game you’re in trouble.
“I thought Mourinho would have man-marked them and got in their faces. Let them go to Fabian Delph, Otamendi, Kyle Walker or even Fernandinho but those two shouldn’t be getting the number of passes in the game.
“To me, when they influence the game you are having a nightmare and they influenced the game far too much.
“Have Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera got the legs to do it? I wondered whether Jesse Lingard would go and mark Silva and if Herrera would go and man-mark De Bruyne and stop those two.
“They are so exceptional those two, they are at a different level. Follow them and stop them.”
Manchester United are in second place in the Premier League table and 11 points behind current leaders Manchester City.
