Gary Neville criticised Manchester United players for their post-match lap of appreciation after they drew 4-4 with Aston Villa, saying they risk "causing themselves emotional damage".
United came from two goals down twice in a dramatic Premier League game at Old Trafford on Sunday. Michael Carrick's side trailed 2-0 after four minutes following mistakes by Senne Lammens that allowed Alysson and Nicolas Jackson to score. They fought back through Bruno Fernandes' penalty and Youri Tielemans' goal, but their progress was undone early in the second half.
Chaotic Finish Sees United Salvage Point
Diogo Dalot's foul on Alysson led to John McGinn scoring from the spot before Leon Goretzka netted from close range after a mistake by Leny Yoro. Substitutes Joshua Zirzkee and Patrick Dorgu both scored in injury time to claim a point in a chaotic finish.
After the final whistle, United's players walked around the pitch to applaud the fans, who chanted Carrick's name in support of their under-fire boss. The side sit 18th in the Premier League after an eighth match without a win.
Neville's Criticism of Lap of Appreciation
Speaking on NBC Sports, Neville said: "You got to admire their persistence, they kept going. The defensive errors were shocking and we'll discuss that shortly. But this lap around the pitch... I played for Manchester United 602 times and I always appreciated the fans at the end of the game, but this pattern of them walking around the pitch after defeats by Bournemouth and a 4-4 at home against Aston Villa, it's almost painful to watch. They're almost causing themselves emotional damage."
He added: "This just can't go on, can it? It's absolutely desperate. Michael will be proud of them and the fans are singing his name because they love him but this is a really sorry situation."
Carrick and Cunha Praise Supporters
Carrick praised the United fans for sticking by his side. "The fans are right behind the players," he told Sky Sports. "You've seen that, it's pretty obvious, they're right behind the players. They are desperate to get behind us and for us to give them something to go on and shout about. There's frustration and disappointment at times, we all feel that. But they are right behind the boys and were at the final whistle as well."
United striker Matheus Cunha also thanked the supporters in his interview. "I feel like we need to learn from the last seasons. I don't understand why we put ourselves in this situation," he said. "I feel like we're good enough to go and change our situation for everyone, for us, for the staff, for the team. We only ask the fans to do what they did. It's amazing because it gives us more energy in these kind of situations."
