Gary Neville has hit out at the total lack of movement from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James during Manchester United’s draw with Sheffield United on Sunday.
Playing with a three-at-the-back system, United were played off the park for 70 minutes, with the front three looking as if they were mere bystanders to the game, offering zero lateral movement or runs in behind.
And then, in a manic 10-minute burst, the trio came alive, combining to provide a display of ruthless attacking football that saw United score three goals – the last coming from
Speaking soon after the Blades doubled their advantage, Neville was fuming at the way the trio conducted themselves.
Gary Neville: "The lack of movement from Rashford and James is a joke. An absolute joke. All game. #mufc's midfield is poor, but you expect more from the front three." #mulive [sky]
— utdreport (@utdreport) November 24, 2019
In a way, Neville, you suspect, will still be fuming with the trio for how they only allowed themselves to hit their straps for 10 minutes over an hour and a half.
The way United came back into the game was too instinctive, too random, to be seen as a product of design. Moreover, without Jesse Lingard and Mason Greenwood, it is hard to see where the momentum came from.
In games like these, United’s first-choice front three simply has to demonstrate more maturity to go with their obvious talent.