Gary Neville blasted Luke Shaw for ‘ambling forward’ in Manchester United’s defeat to Everton, insisting his role in the second-half at Old Trafford was ‘a waste of time’.
United fell to a shocking 1-0 defeat to the Toffees on Monday night despite David Moyes’ side being reduced to 1-0 men after 13 minutes when Idrissa Gueye slapped teammate Michael Keane.
Before and after the red card, the hosts were woeful, failing to trouble Everton who left with all three points thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s strike.
Ruben Amorim has religiously stuck with his 3-4-3 formation during his time in Manchester and did not veer away from his system as United chased an equaliser against 10 men.
His side had five defenders on the pitch in Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu, with Diogo Dalot later coming on as a direct replacement for the latter.
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A frustrated Neville criticised Shaw in particular for his perceived reluctance to get forward and join United’s attack as they chased an equaliser.
‘I’m not saying it’s easy playing against ten men, you have to play with some urgency, you have to put as many players as possible forward, into forward areas.
‘You’ve still got Yoro, Shaw and De Ligt largely playing behind the ball,’ Neville said while on punditry duty for Sky Sports.
‘Shaw is starting to move forward a little bit, but he’s ambling forward, let’s be clear.
‘He’s been bugging me for the last 20 minutes. Look at him.’
Neville’s frustrations grew as the game wore on, declaring Shaw’s role in a back three against 10 men as ‘a waste of time.’
‘You can’t do that. You should be running forward every single time, I don’t care.
‘Yoro, I have more sympathy with because he’s not as comfortable on the ball, but Shaw shouldn’t be playing there.
‘It’s a waste of time, I don’t care. Honestly, what he’s doing there, you’re not conning anybody.’
United miss the chance to move into the top four, remaining in 10th after their first defeat since September.