Troy Deeney criticised Amad Diallo after Manchester United's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, claiming the winger 'flattered to deceive' and appeared to be 'playing for himself'.
United twice fought back from two goals down to earn a point at Old Trafford, but the result left Michael Carrick's side in the relegation zone heading into the international break.
United's sluggish start punished
The hosts fell behind inside four minutes as Alysson and Nicolas Jackson made it 2-0, before Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans drew level. After the break, John McGinn converted a 48th-minute penalty and Leon Goretzka capitalised on defensive errors from Leny Yoro to restore the visitors' two-goal cushion.
Carrick made changes in the second half, and substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu struck to salvage a draw. United sit one point above bottom-placed Crystal Palace, with scrutiny on Carrick's future likely to continue ahead of their match against Liverpool in a fortnight.
Deeney's criticism of Amad
Speaking on talkSPORT's Premier League All Access Podcast, Deeney said: 'Amad comes in and flatters to deceive. A lot of running into nothing, he was… today it felt like a lot of them were playing for themselves and going, "Look, I'm not the problem!" Amad had about nine shots in the first half that were never going to be on target.'
There had been calls for Carrick to field Shea Lacey in place of Amad after the youngster's cameo in United's midweek Champions League victory over Roma, but the head coach kept faith with Amad.
Emery's substitutions questioned
Deeney also criticised Aston Villa manager Unai Emery for making five substitutions before United's late fightback, removing goalscorers McGinn, Alysson, Goretzka and Jackson, as well as Johan Manzambi. 'Absolutely,' Deeney said when asked if Emery had made a mistake. 'I also thought it was one of the few times where he'd probably be very disappointed and would want to go back when you look at taking off Johan Manzambi, who I thought was excellent.'
Deeney added: 'I think the game got too easy for Villa at 4-2 and I thought Emery started to think a little bit too far ahead, "Okay, I can rest these players", obviously going away to international break. Nicolas Jackson at times looked like Kylian Mbappe against that Manchester United team. But I just think he made too many mistakes and you can't account for a goalkeeper having a shocker as well.'
Carrick defends Dalot
Diogo Dalot was replaced by Dorgu midway through the second half, with some sarcastic cheers from the crowd. Carrick defended Dalot, saying: 'Diogo, he gives absolutely everything. He's played in different positions, he's played left-back, he's played really well at times. He gives a penalty away today, that's, you know, he knows that. Maybe he can do a little bit better, all right, that's part of it, he's made a mistake, but he cares an awful lot and he's giving everything.'
On Dalot, Carrick added: 'I like what he brings to the team, I like what he brings to the group, I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we've got. Picking a team and who plays the next game, that's a whole different decision, but it's a whole different game that we've got to look forward to now.'
