Gary Neville SLAMS Manchester United’s defensive approach to Liverpool stalemate, claiming ‘that’s NOT a performance’ – and admits ‘we killed Mourinho for playing like that’

• Gary Neville was not impressed with Manchester United’s plan away at Liverpool 
• He felt they could have capitalised more when the Reds had an exposed midfield
• Round 2 to the Rooneys? WAGatha Christie goes to the pitch on Monday – It’s All Kicking Off

Gary Neville tore into Manchester United’s approach to their Sunday assignment at Liverpool, arguing they were ‘well off’ a winning performance. 

The Red Devils legend likened their safety-first attitude to performances under Jose Mourninho, who snuck two 0-0 draws from Anfield while in the United hotseat.

Liverpool had 34 shots to United’s six and 69 per cent possession in their goalless draw, signifying how on top Jurgen Klopp’s side were. 

Central defenders Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans were two of United’s best players as Erik ten Hag’s side submitted a durable but rather unambitious outlook. 

Neville told Sky Sports: ‘Manchester United played really poorly. They had a 10, 15-minute period when Szoboszlai went off and they [Liverpool] had Trent Alexander-Arnold and Endo in midfield and it was a 4-2-4 where you thought, “ooh, there are two or three counter-attacks.”

Gary Neville felt that Man United played ‘really poorly’ and slammed their approach at Anfield

United defended resolutely and limited Liverpool to half-chances but had little attacking intent

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‘It’s a good result because it’s a draw at Anfield and you can never dismiss a draw at Anfield, but that’s not a performance. 

‘We killed [Jose] Mourinho a few years ago for coming here and playing like that and getting a 0-0. So I think the fact they’ve been a bit more resilient defensively is good and the fact they’ve kept a clean sheet is good, but in terms of level of performance that will win you football matches, no, it’s well off it.

‘But you have to give some credit to the defenders and the way in which the whole team stuck together because I didn’t think they had it in them. 

‘Before the game, I saw the team, I thought how can that keep a clean sheet, that’s at least conceding two or three goals. You have to give them credit for that and you have to say well done to them because it’s been a tough week for them. 

‘I can’t imagine how difficult it has been, the criticism that they’ve received, everyone is on at them, including us, and the fact of the matter is they’ve walked out of here tonight with a little bit of respect.’ 

Considering United’s previous visit to Anfield resulted in a 7-0 defeat, many fans anticipated another drubbing at the hands of their old foes. 

Neville likened United’s approach to that of Jose Mourinho, who managed two 0-0 draws at Anfield in his tenure at the club 

With a backs-against-the-wall performance, United mustered six shots to Liverpool’s 34 

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A 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on December 9 and a spiritless 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in midweek had portended a miserable Sunday on Merseyside. 

However, while having limited chances, they withstood Liverpool and made them look like an ordinary side, especially in midfield. 

Liverpool’s midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch had little joy carving meaningful inroads through their opposition’s back line. 

Fifteen of Liverpool’s shots were from outside the box, and lots were from tight angles, showing how United limited them. 

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