Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has launched a pointed critique of Sporting CP's manager and a star defender following their European stalemate against Fulham.
The Sly Sports pundit did not hold back in his assessment of Ruben Amorim's tactical choices, branding one particular decision in the 1-1 Europa League draw as "strange." The result leaves the Portuguese side with work to do in the group stages.
Neville's sharpest analysis, however, was reserved for highly-rated centre-back Gonçalo Inácio. The 22-year-old, frequently linked with a big-money move to Premier League giants Liverpool, came under direct fire for his perceived lack of pace.
"He's not quick, by the way, the centre-back," Neville stated bluntly during his commentary. "He's not anywhere near quick. He's got a lot of great attributes, but that is not one of them."
This critical observation throws a potential question mark over the defender's suitability for the intense, high-tempo nature of the English top flight, where speed across the ground is often paramount for defenders.
Neville also took aim at manager Amorim for his surprising decision to substitute key forward Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker, who has been in scintillating form, was taken off in the second half, a move that Neville believes directly contributed to Sporting surrendering their lead and allowing Fulham to snatch a late equaliser.
The draw at the Estádio José Alvalade will feel like two points dropped for the home side and provides a fascinating insight from one of English football's most prominent voices on a player continually tipped for a mega-money switch to the Premier League.
