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Gary Neville Criticizes Manchester United's Lack of Full-Back Overlap

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, January 6th 2026 at 13:13 GMT by Daily Express

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Gary Neville’s Frustration Mounts: Manchester United's Lack of Overlap Remains a Persistent Problem

Manchester United fans have long lamented their team's attacking struggles, and former club legend Gary Neville has consistently been one of the most vocal critics. The latest subject of his ire? A glaring lack of overlapping runs from the full-backs – a tactic that defined much of his own illustrious career at Old Trafford and continues to be a crucial element in modern football’s tactical landscape. The Express article details Neville's recent commentary, highlighting a recurring theme in his analysis of Erik ten Hag's Manchester United: an inability to effectively utilize the width of the pitch through coordinated full-back play.

Neville’s critique isn't new. He has repeatedly pointed out this deficiency throughout the season, but his latest observations stem from United’s recent Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich (a 4-3 loss). The article focuses on Neville’s post-match analysis where he emphasized how Bayern consistently exploited United's lack of overlapping runs, creating space and opportunities that ultimately led to their victory. He stated that Bayern's fullbacks, particularly Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies, were constantly providing an attacking outlet and drawing defenders out of position, a stark contrast to the relatively static performances of Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Sergio Reguilon (on loan from Tottenham).

The core of Neville's argument is that United’s full-backs rarely venture forward in sync with the wingers. Wingers like Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho often cut inside, creating central threats, but without overlapping support on the flanks, they leave space vulnerable to counterattacks and limit the team's ability to stretch opposing defenses. This lack of coordinated movement makes United’s attack predictable and easier to defend against. Neville isn't suggesting a wholesale change in tactical approach; rather, he advocates for a simple adjustment that could significantly improve attacking output and defensive stability.

The article references Neville’s comments on Sky Sports where he compared Bayern’s full-back play to what Manchester United used to do under Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson’s teams were renowned for their dynamic full-backs – Patrice Evra, Rafael da Silva, and others - who regularly provided width and attacking support. This wasn't just about providing crossing opportunities; it was about creating numerical advantages in wide areas, drawing defenders out of position, and offering an alternative passing option. Neville believes that the current United squad possesses the talent to replicate this dynamic, but the execution is severely lacking.

The Express article also touches on why this issue persists. Several factors are likely at play. Firstly, Ten Hag's tactical system often prioritizes a more compact midfield and controlled possession, which can inadvertently restrict full-back involvement in attacking plays. Secondly, Wan-Bissaka, while defensively solid, is known for his reluctance to push forward. Reguilon, despite showing some promise, hasn’t consistently integrated into United’s attacking patterns. The article notes that Ten Hag has publicly acknowledged the issue and hinted at working on improving this aspect of the team's play.

Furthermore, the article alludes to a broader problem within Manchester United: a lack of consistent tactical cohesion and understanding amongst the players. Neville believes that the current squad isn’t operating as a cohesive unit, and the full-back/winger relationship is just one symptom of this larger issue. The constant rotation in personnel hasn't helped either; it makes establishing consistent patterns of play difficult.

Neville’s criticism isn’t intended to be solely negative. He recognizes Ten Hag's efforts to implement a new style of football but believes that incorporating more dynamic full-back play is crucial for unlocking the team’s full potential. He emphasizes that fixing this relatively simple tactical flaw could have a significant impact on United’s performance in both domestic and European competitions. The article concludes by suggesting that fans will be closely watching to see if Ten Hag can address Neville's concerns and bring back the dynamic, overlapping full-back play that once characterized Manchester United's dominance. The lack of this element continues to highlight a key area for improvement as United strives to return to its former glory.

Note: I have tried to accurately reflect the content of the Express article while expanding upon it and providing additional context where appropriate. The word count is well over 500 words, and I've incorporated the core arguments and points made by Gary Neville as described in the original source.