Several Man United stars have gone on holiday for the international break
Gary Neville has hit out at the Manchester United squad after several of them were spotted at events around the world as part of their international break.
United were beaten by Atletico Madrid to knock them out of the Champions League and having already been knocked out of the FA Cup, only have a top four position in the league to play for this season.
With no fixture to play this weekend and the Premier League on hold for March’s international break, several players of the Red Devils used the opportunity to jet off around the world to escape their torrid few weeks.
Special guests at today's match.🙏🏾
Ralf Rangnick, interim Manager of Manchester United and Sir Gordon Greenidge take a 📸. #WIvENG pic.twitter.com/PTiHgwSUBL— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 19, 2022
However this hasn’t gone down well with Neville, who has labelled the squad as “tone deaf” and claimed that when he was part of the United squad, such a thing would never happen.
He tweeted: “I remember a time when United players , managers , executives wouldn’t be seen in their local Italian after a draw at home let alone getting knocked out of Europe. This last week we’ve seen a global tour of F1 , Concerts, Cricket and UFC events. This lot are Tone Deaf!”
I remember a time when United players , managers , executives wouldn’t be seen in their local Italian after a draw at home let alone getting knocked out of Europe. This last week we’ve seen a global tour of F1 , Concerts, Cricket and UFC events. This lot are Tone Deaf!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 21, 2022
However the the Sky Sports pundit’s reaction wasn’t shared by too many of his followers. One user replied to Neville, admitting that he found it strange Neville was criticising what players were doing in their spare time.
He said: “Kind of find this a bit deranged that players are not allowed to live their lives outside of work. Not a great message to be sending.”
Kind of find this a bit deranged that players are not allowed to live their lives outside of work. Not a great message to be sending. https://t.co/eHp3NU4NsX
— Daniel Childs ☕️ (@SonOfChelsea) March 21, 2022
Neville did respond – albeit not with the best reply – defending his tweet by claiming that while players can enjoy their downtime, they must be more conscious after a series of disappointing results.
He said: “No they are. They can go on holiday, relax, take time off. However if you’ve been knocked out of the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and floundering in the League I wouldn’t think it’s too much to ask to lie low a bit!!”
Gary Lineker also responded to Neville’s comments, highlighting that players would do the same during the former United full-back’s playing days, just without social media letting the whole world know.
He said: “True, they were mostly busy getting hammered down the pub without everyone being on social media to spy on them.”
True, they were mostly busy getting hammered down the pub without everyone being on social media to spy on them. https://t.co/0wvhnb8kQq
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 21, 2022
Neville once again replied, saying that he wasn’t “sure the spy needs to work too hard at test matches , F1 , boxing and UFC.”
But Lineker again reiterated the same point so many others had made, stating that players and staff could do what they like in their spare time and should be applauded for going to other sports events.
He said: “Do you really think that’s a problem? Going to watch other sports has always been a thing. A positive thing at that.”
Do you really think that’s a problem? Going to watch other sports has always been a thing. A positive thing at that.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 21, 2022
United return to action on April 2, when they face Leicester City at Old Trafford.
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