GARY NEVILLE LEAVES JAMIE CARRAGHER BAFFLED AFTER COMPARISON BETWEEN MAN UNITED AND LIVERPOOL - AS HE SUGGESTS ONE AREA WHERE ERIK TEN HAG'S SIDE ARE SUPERIOR

Gary Neville was giving his predictions for the new Premier League campaign
Man United and Liverpool both secured victories in their first games this season
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Gary Neville left Jamie Carragher bewildered when comparing Manchester United and Liverpool on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

Both United and the Reds got their new campaigns off to a winning start at the weekend with victories over Fulham, and newly-promoted Ipswich Town, respectively.

Following Leicester City's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday Night Football, the well-known punditry duo went through their predictions for the 2024-25 campaign.

While Jamie Carragher predicted his former side Liverpool to finish third, two places above the Red Devils, Neville did not see it the same way, believing that his old club will end the campaign inside the top four, with the Reds just missing out in fifth.

When probed upon the reasoning for his prediction, Neville struggled to conjure up one. When he did, his answer stunned Carragher.

The former United captain was asked by presenter Dave Jones which areas of the pitch Man United were more distinguished than Liverpool.

After a long think, Neville said: 'I wouldn't say they were superior in respects of a particular area. I think Liverpool have got a better team than Manchester United. Liverpool have got far better forwards, that is the thing that they do have.'

However, after gathering his thoughts, Neville then found his reason. 'I think in midfield,' He said. 'If I look at Manchester United's midfield players, if you add equal coaches – and we don't know what Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot are going to match up like.

'I do think Liverpool, with [Wataru] Endo, [Dominik] Szoboszlai and [Alexis] Mac Allister, they've done unbelievably well to get the performance levels out of those three that they have with Jurgen Klopp.

'I really do question [whether] that midfield three is going to stand up throughout the season. If it does again, I'll take my hat off to them, "well done, unbelievable, you've proven me wrong".

'I think Manchester United have got more in midfield, more depth, good players in there.'

Carragher was baffled at Neville's suggestion and decided to but in with his thoughts. 'That was Manchester United's biggest problem last year, in midfield,' he replied.

Neville was quick to respond: 'It was the structure of the midfield. Kobbie Mainoo has come into that midfield alongside Casemiro. [Bruno] Fernandes is in there, Mason Mount, McTominay – they've got five players in there that I think'

Carragher still couldn't believe what Nevill was saying, and asked him: 'How many are you going to play? You've just named six players there!' Neville: 'I said they've got more depth in there.'

The midfield area is something that Liverpool looked to address this summer when they targeted Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

However, after the Spaniard turned down the Merseyside club, it seems Arne Slot is now content with deploying Ryan Gravenberch in the holding midfield role.

2024-08-20T12:43:14Z dg43tfdfdgfd