Michael Carrick has dismissed Gary Neville's claim that "a few" Manchester United players lack professionalism away from the pitch, saying he has not encountered such behaviour since returning to the club.
United were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last weekend, prompting Neville to criticise some of the players' lifestyle choices on a Sky Sports podcast.
Neville's Criticism
"There's a few of them that aren't that professional," Neville said. "There's a couple of them. I live in Manchester, they're not that professional some of them. I've got no time for them. Do you know what I mean?"
He added: "There are a few of them that don't go to bed at the right time. Don't eat the right things. Don't think about Manchester United every single minute of every single day."
"They are not living and breathing this football club, as they should be, like professionals should. And why? Because it's gone to their heads. But they still walk around like they're King William. They're not; they're nothing."
"Some of those players, I can't believe the... lack of standards. There was a banner in the first half [vs Bournemouth] that was held up in the Stretford End - 'standards.' They went a long time ago."
Carrick's Response
Neville's comments were put to Carrick during his press conference on Thursday, where he was asked for his reaction and whether he had seen any unprofessional behaviour since his return.
Carrick replied: "No, I haven't, no." Asked if he was surprised by Neville's accusation, he said: "Gaz says a lot of things."
No players have been publicly reprimanded for disciplinary reasons since Carrick was appointed in January, although his predecessors, Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag, both faced issues during their tenures.
Club Context
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was viewed as a lenient head coach by some players during his time in charge, but he reflected in a 2023 interview: "Some weren't as good as their own perception of themselves."
United won more points than any other Premier League team during Carrick's interim stint last season, but they have only two wins in 12 so far this term.
