Manchester United news: Gary Neville criticises 'embarrassing' state of affairs after press leaks
Reports in several national newspapers suggest players are unhappy with Jose Mourinho's public criticism of them
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Your support makes all the difference.Gary Neville, the former Manchester United full-back, has labelled the current state of affairs at his former club as ‘embarrassing’ following leaks to national newspapers.
The 41-year-old, who currently works as a pundit for Sky Sports, was reacting to the publication of several stories which claim that players are unhappy with the man-management of Jose Mourinho.
After a positive start to the season, United have suffered three consecutive defeats, going down to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford in the space of eight days.
Mourinho’s public criticism of certain players during the losing streak has left the dressing room “shocked”, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Neville, in response to the Telegraph’s story, tweeted: “Leaks already after one bad week! Embarrassing!!”
When one social media user accused him of taking newspaper stories as “gospel”, Neville replied: “Absolutely not. However I can sense a piece that's had info passed on and one that's speculative!”
Luke Shaw, the young left-back, was singled out for censure by Mourinho following Sunday’s 3-1 reverse at Vicarage Road.
Shaw was criticised for failing to close down Juan Zuniga in the build-up to Watford’s second goal, despite him carrying a groin injury that will keep him out of Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie at Northampton Town.
“Our left-back is 25 metres away instead of five,” Mourinho said while analysing the goal after the game.
“But give him 25 metres and you have to press. But no, we wait. It is a tactical but also mental attitude.”
Shaw, who missed the majority of last season after suffering a double leg break, was reportedly disappointed to be publicly criticised by Mourinho.
The club, however, are 'relaxed' about Mourinho's relationship with the dressing room and see him as the closest equivalent to Sir Alex Ferguson, United's most successful manager.
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