‘It’s a sad indictment’; Gary Neville makes huge Man Utd call ahead of crunch City clash
Gary Neville has questioned whether any current Manchester United player would get into the Manchester City starting XI ahead of Sunday’s derby.
The first Manchester derby this season ended in a 2-0 triumph for Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford back in November. The teams are due to square off again at the Etihad, with City huge favouritesto pick up all three points. They sit proudly at the top of the standings, with a whopping 19-point advantage over the Red Devils.
It is now a two-horse race for the title while United are battling for a top-four spot. This weekend’s clash is vital to both clubs.
But Neville’s assessment of the relative strength of the two squads suggests he feels there is only one winner.
When asked whether any United player would start for City, the pundit pulled no punches with his reply.
“I can be really honest about it, I’ll go through them,” he told LADbible TV. “[Ruben] Dias, [Aymeric] Laporte, [Joao] Cancelo and [Kyle] Walker – they’re better than all of United’s back four.
“Fernandinho and Rodri, they’re better than United’s holding midfield players. Bernardo Silva, [Ilkay] Gundogan.”
And the former United and England defender believes only Bruno Fernandes would stand any chance of making the grade.
“Bruno is the only one that I think, over the last 12 to 18 months, could. But [Kevin] De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, [Riyad] Mahrez, [Phil] Foden and [Raheem] Sterling.
“I can’t put Bruno in ahead of Bernardo Silva at the moment, or De Bruyne. I can’t. It’s a sad indictment really.”
World class Rice to boost United hopes
One player who would possibly grace the City side is Declan Rice. Currently enjoying another superb campaign for West Ham United, the midfielder’s stock has risen even higher.
He was a star for England at last summer’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament. And many clubs have expressed an interest in signing the Londoner in the summer.
United have been mentioned in connection with the player but would need to find around £120m to do a deal. But it seems as though Rice is eager for a new challenge.
When asked if playing in the Champions League is a priority, he told the Evening Standard.
“It is as urgent as possible. I feel like, not only for me, that’s for every young player as well,” he said. “We are really close with West Ham at the minute and last season it was gutting to lose out on it but we are pushing.
“We’ll keep going. Champions League is a big aim of mine and hopefully one day I can play in it and do well.”
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