Gary Neville slams ‘non-existent’ Man Utd who were ‘outplayed’ by Wolves in season opener

Gary Neville has slammed Manchester United’s display against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night and claimed the Red Devils were ‘outplayed’ by their opponents.

Despite beginning the 2023/24 campaign by picking up three points, United were second best for large spells against Wolves and were fortunate to grab a 1-0 victory, thanks to Raphael Varane’s header in the 76th minute.

United were cut apart several times by the Midlands club, with the team looking particularly susceptible through the middle, as Casemiro was overstretched due to Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount repeatedly advancing from midfield. 

Neville was thoroughly unimpressed with the display and said the performance at Old Trafford was a ‘real worry’.

“Manchester United’s midfield was non-existent, it emptied,” the former defender said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “It was a concern that was probably there if you watched Manchester United in pre-season. Leaving Casemiro on his own when Mount and Fernandes go forwards, it looks great but you’ve got to have a balance and the front three don’t really work hard enough in a defensive sense.

“That would have been a real worry because Wolves have got a new manager only four days ago, there was a lot of misery around how their season might end up but they have been brilliant tonight, everything other than a goal or two.

“Manchester United were outplayed and they can feel very fortunate they have come away with the three points because they didn’t really deserve it.”

After the disappointing first performance of the season, Erik ten Hag will be hoping for an improved display when the Red Devils take on Tottenham Hotspur in the capital next week.