The footballing world is no stranger to passionate debates, especially when it involves former players turned pundits.
Recently, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher found themselves in a spirited exchange, once again clashing over the state of Manchester United and Liverpool.
The discussion took place during their commentary duties at Old Trafford, where Carragher’s former team, Liverpool, secured a dominant 3-0 victory over their historic rivals, Manchester United.
The Ten Hag Conundrum
Post-match, the conversation quickly turned to the contrasting fortunes of both clubs.
Neville, staunch in his defense, argued that Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, deserved more time to adjust to the club’s evolving structure.
He pointed out that United fans had grown weary of managerial changes and wanted to see Ten Hag supported, especially after a period of instability.
According to Neville, United had considered other managerial options, but none seemed like a surefire improvement over the Dutchman.
Carragher, however, wasn’t entirely convinced by Neville’s reasoning.
His disbelief was palpable as the discussion heated up during their podcast, Stick to Football, sponsored by Sky Bet.
The debate initially stemmed from a conversation about Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, but soon shifted to Ten Hag and his impact at United.
Liverpool’s Managerial Moves
Carragher was quick to defend Slot, who has had an impressive start at Liverpool, winning his first three Premier League games without conceding a single goal.
He challenged Neville’s suggestion that Slot wasn’t Liverpool’s first choice, arguing that Liverpool’s pursuit of Xabi Alonso might not have been as straightforward as Neville implied.
This sparked a back-and-forth about the behind-the-scenes decision-making at both clubs.
Carragher questioned why Manchester United didn’t pursue Slot if they were so intent on finding a new manager, further fueling the debate.
Ten Hag’s Backing: Deserved or Fortunate?
Neville responded by emphasizing that United had likely considered Slot but were hesitant to sack Ten Hag, given his track record and the lack of proper backing from the club’s structure.
Carragher, however, wasn’t buying it.
He pointed out that Ten Hag had been given significant control over transfers, bringing in players like Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana, and Antony—players he had previously managed at Ajax—with mixed results.
The discussion then turned to United’s summer restructuring, with new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe bringing in a new sporting director and CEO.
Despite these changes, the club’s hierarchy has publicly backed Ten Hag, with CEO Omar Berrada affirming his commitment to supporting the manager in every possible way.
The Debate Continues
As the conversation wrapped up on the Stick to Football podcast, it was clear that Neville and Carragher were far from reaching a consensus.
The debate over whether Ten Hag deserves more time or if United should have pursued a different managerial direction will likely continue, both on and off the pitch.
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