Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has criticised a number of the club's current squad, claiming some players are not living up to the expected standards. He insists "there are a few" who do not go to bed at the right time, do not eat right and do not "live and breathe" Manchester United.
Neville accuses players of conning Carrick
Neville believes certain players have 'conned' beleaguered boss Michael Carrick after helping the club secure Champions League football last season. United have managed just two victories from 12 matches across all competitions this term, with the pressure firmly on the manager.
The 4-1 hammering at Como increased the pressure considerably, but a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth has pushed things to breaking point. While United fans stood by Carrick, singing his name throughout the loss to the Cherries, they turned on the players, booing them off the pitch.
Neville's comments on player professionalism
"They've teased him, haven't they? They've conned him for a few months. They have, they've conned him," Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. "Honestly, he would never say this publicly because he's got class. I can say it for him though. He'll look at those players with disgust. Some of them, he'll be disgusted with some of those players."
"A few of them aren't that professional. I live in Manchester. Some of them aren't that professional. So I've got no time for them. There's 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 day, and aren't living and breathing this football club as they should be - and as professionals should. Why? Because it's gone to their heads. They are nothing, some of those players."
Fernandes statement and Carrick's response
Neville believed Fernandes speaking out against Carrick last week was a clear sign that the players had turned on their manager, remarking: "He's not been able to get a tune out of them and they've turned on him. I know that because if Bruno has turned on him publicly, with that little statement, imagine what they're like behind the scenes. If that's your captain saying that, imagine what they're saying in the dressing room behind closed doors when no one's listening. That's horrific."
When quizzed on whether he anticipated losing his position, Carrick responded: "I totally understand the situation. I'm not expecting anything either way. I'm carrying on as normal. I love this place. I'll always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club and I won't change that now, whatever decision is made."
"It's a tough situation, there's no hiding from it. What it looks like and what's next I really don't know. I love what I do and I feel the responsibility. We'll have to wait and see. Of course, I take responsibility. I respect the position that I'm in, and the responsibility is mine. What else can I say really right now?"
"I've tried to do everything I can to not be in this position, of course I have. For a number of reasons, we've not been able to stop that happening to the position we're in right now. I've been at the club a long time. It hurts an awful lot to see us going through this at this moment in time. The situation is where we are and we haven't had results or performances that have been good enough."
"It wasn't a farewell from me," Carrick insisted. "I probably didn't really expect that off the supporters, if I'm honest, but I've always felt the support and that connection with them. It will take a bit of time to digest, but I certainly appreciate their support. It's difficult for me to have a day like this at this club and feel the emotion."
"I'm feeling it for my players, they're going through a tough spell. There's a lot of emotion in the changing room right now, there's a lot of the boys quite hurt, to be fair. It's not like they don't care or they want to be in this position. The ones I've spoken to, it's affecting them a lot."
