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Gary Neville Blasts Manchester United Squad

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, January 25th 2026 at 16:58 GMT by Daily Express
      Locale: SPAIN, UNITED KINGDOM

Manchester, UK - January 25th, 2026 - Manchester United's ongoing struggles this season have drawn a blistering critique from club legend Gary Neville, who has publicly declared that the current squad simply lacks the quality to implement manager Erik ten Hag's ambitious tactical blueprint. Neville's remarks, delivered during a Sky Sports analysis segment, represent a significant escalation in the scrutiny surrounding the club's performance and raise serious questions about the direction of the rebuild at Old Trafford.

United's season has been characterized by inconsistency, falling well short of the pre-season expectations that followed a promising, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, campaign the prior year. Ten Hag's preferred style of play, which emphasizes a dynamic and attacking approach with a particular focus on overlapping full-backs, has been repeatedly undermined by a lack of execution and a string of costly errors.

"I think what we're seeing is a team that's trying to play a certain way, and the players aren't good enough to do it," Neville asserted bluntly. His criticism wasn't a vague general statement; he specifically highlighted the team's inability to consistently execute the vital tactic of overlapping full-back runs - a cornerstone of Ten Hag's system. The Dutchman's vision relies on his full-backs providing width and attacking impetus, but United's defenders have repeatedly demonstrated a lack of the necessary technical skill, positional awareness, and fitness to carry out these instructions effectively.

The recent Champions League draw against Galatasaray served as the immediate catalyst for Neville's outburst, as United's defensive vulnerabilities were once again laid bare. While Ten Hag has made significant strides in reshaping the squad and attempting to instill his philosophy, Neville argues that the problem isn't solely a matter of tactical adaptation. He believes a critical element is missing: the individual capabilities of the players.

"Erik ten Hag is trying to implement a system, but the players aren't providing him with the tools to succeed," Neville explained. "It's a combination of individual errors and a lack of consistent performance. They need to be better, and they need to improve quickly."

Beyond the tactical shortcomings, Neville's comments underscore a deeper concern: the perceived lack of fundamental quality within the squad. The repeated mistakes, particularly in high-pressure Champions League encounters, point to deficiencies in basic skills and decision-making that are difficult to rectify through tactical adjustments alone. This suggests a possible need for reevaluation of the club's player recruitment strategy, potentially shifting the focus towards players with greater individual talent and a more established track record.

While Ten Hag's focus has been on implementing a cohesive system, Neville's analysis suggests that a parallel emphasis on individual player development is now crucial. This could involve targeted training programs to address specific skill deficits, a greater emphasis on individual mentorship, and perhaps even a reassessment of the roles and responsibilities assigned to certain players. It's not enough to simply demand tactical adherence; the players must possess the tools and the aptitude to execute those tactics effectively.

The situation presents a significant challenge for Ten Hag. He inherited a squad that required significant restructuring and faces the pressure of delivering consistent success while attempting to implement a complex and demanding playing style. Neville's critique represents a clear warning: unless the players can rise to the challenge and demonstrate a significant improvement in both individual performance and tactical execution, Manchester United's ambitions for sustained success will remain distant.