Gary Neville explains what happened in Man Utd meeting amid pressure on Erik ten Hag’s job
GARY NEVILLE has revealed what was discussed in his recent meeting with the Manchester United top brass.
The former Red Devils defender was part of a meeting on Monday at OId Trafford with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and key board members.
Neville was quizzed about the get-together during the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, which is brought to you by Sky Bet, and was dubbed an “inside man” by fellow podcaster Ian Wright.
But the 49-year-old hit back at the Arsenal legend’s suggestion, and claimed he was not privvy to any discussions about the future of under-fire manager Erik ten Hag
Neville’s meeting with United hierarchy came amid growing pressure on ten Hag, who has overseen Utd’s worst start to a Premier League season since 1989.
But the retired defender insists the team’s current woes under the Dutchman WERE NOT discussed in the meeting – and he was only consulted about plans to rebuild Old Trafford.
Neville was adamant, saying: “I’m not on the inside of it, no I’m not.
“I went on Monday to meet them about the regeneration side.”
When pressed if he gave his thoughts on footballing matters, he responded: “Not at all.
“Not at all [did I talk about] footballing matters.
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“I went in with a couple members of the regeneration task force and basically spoke about that.”
United’s hammering at the hands of Tottenham late last month and drab draws with FC Twente and Aston Villa have sparked more calls for Ten Hag to be relieved of his duties.
But club legend Wayne Rooney insists the buck doesn’t just stop with the former Ajax gaffer.
The Plymouth Argyle manager said: “Something needs to change.
“I’m not saying that’s purely the manager, but the performances and the lack of desire when you watch the players, it’s crazy.
“I was there at the Tottenham game and that’s as bad as I’ve seen in Old Trafford for a long, long time.”
Former United skipper Roy Keane shares Rooney’s thoughts on the team’s struggles, saying: “The players came out after the match and are going, ‘I think they wanted it more than us’.
“I kind of gave up at that stage.
“If that’s the noise coming out of the dressing room, then no wonder the manager is in trouble.”
Ten Hag knows his head is on the chopping block but is confident his troops can turn things around.
He told Sky Sports “We are going to make a success from the season.
“Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about. We can sort [the problems] out, this team can sort this out.”
“I’m not thinking about it,” he said when asked if he’s worried about being sacked. “I’m not anxious.
“We created a togetherness in the summer with the ownership and the leadership.
“We made this agreement, and we were all behind it. We know the strategy [is to bring in] young players in a transition period.
“They also know in May in all my last six seasons there were always trophies and that is what we are aiming for.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Brentford to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag's five worst defeats
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.