Gary Neville has urged Michael Carrick to stop rallying behind his Manchester United players when they’re performing the way they are.
Sunday’s draw with Fulham was just the latest blow in a string of dismal results since 2026/2027 got underway.
United held to draw by winless Cottagers
Although they’d have been furious, United couldn’t have felt aggrieved if they left Craven Cottage with zero points to their name last night.
Following Lisandro Martinez’s own goal, which broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, it took United until the 89th minute to find a way back into the game through a deflected Matheus Cunha strike.
Neither side was able to find a winner in the three minutes of injury time, meaning the spoils were ultimately shared in West London.
5 – With five points, this is Manchester United's joint-lowest tally after five games of a Premier League season, also picking up five in 2014-15.
Sluggish. pic.twitter.com/UZTBWRpGnm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2026
It leaves Carrick’s Reds sitting 12th-placed and on just five points after their opening five fixtures, and they now have to wait until October 10, when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, to put matters right.
What did Neville have to say?
Reacting to his former club’s display on Sky Sports post-match, Neville said: “Michael has got to stop defending them (the players). I get why he’s defending them. He is loyal and wants his players to work for him. There is a long way left in the season.
“I called them mannequins. I have never seen a Manchester United team, for 15 minutes, walk around as much as that — no alerts, not on your toes. You should always be on your toes. There was no shifting up two or three yards — just walking when Fulham were in possession.
“There needs to be a rebalance. I wish he could play the attacking players, but they are going to kill him defensively.”
"They were absolutely mannequins!"
Gary Neville says Michael Carrick has to stop defending the Manchester United players. pic.twitter.com/Pa4PqIoRbh
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 20, 2026
He added: “Not running is the only thing that I will call a disgrace.”
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