Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville has voiced his support for the players and manager at his former club, after they suffered a 4-0 humiliation to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea were ahead after thirty seconds and never looked back, scoring twice in either half. The defeat is United's third of the season, and leaves them seventh in the league. They trail leaders Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool by six points.
Gary Neville: "Manchester United's best performer today has been their away fans." pic.twitter.com/tiFzoNmfo0
"Pogba is no doubt confused." Neville said in aSky Sports podcast, having watched the Frenchman struggle for effectiveness on Sunday.
"He has been signed for such a huge fee and I look at him and it was a difficult day for him. It was difficult for him at times at Anfield as a No. 10 so, at the moment, I think Jose Mourinho is trying to find a way to incorporate him and when you sign a player for that level of money, you somehow have to make it fit."
Neville decided to blame the holding midfield instead, highlighting Marouane Fellaini's higher positional play as a key factor in United's defensive collapse.
"Fellaini played so high in the game today. I am not sure if that was something he was told to do, but it just didn't work. It meant he was detached from Herrera, who seemed to be exposed, and for United it was not a good 45 minutes.
Carrick must be sitting on the bench thinking to himself how is fellaini starting ahead of me 😡😡😡👊�
"I know Fellaini has had a lot of stick over the last couple of seasons with people saying he is not a Manchester United player, and it is obvious to see his lack of quality in certain areas, but I thought today he was really poor."
Jose Mourinho, however, was exonerated. Neville is looking forward to the EFL Cup Manchester derby on Wednesday, rather than dreading it.
"There will be a massive over-reaction to the game, Jose Mourinho will come under huge pressure and it will be ramped up ahead of the derby on Wednesday.
"I am quite relaxed."
Whether that mood is reflected in the rest of the Red Devils' fanbase is another question.