Redknapp put ‘Mayor Neville’ in his place
SKY’S post-match analysis of Manchester United’s draw with Tottenham on Sunday made interesting viewing. The discussion turned, as it often does, to what’s wrong with United and I thought Jamie Redknapp was brilliant in the face of the usual rhetoric from Gary Neville. Mayor Neville of Manchester spends his time serving out agendas and playing to the gallery by going along with the popular opinion among United fans that the only reason for the club’s struggles is because of the Glazers. That’s rubbish. It’s a significant part of the equation but not the only reason and Redknapp questioned that narrative. Good for him because it’s nonsense. He was robust in his argument and refused to simply tacitly accept Neville’s tired platitudes. Maybe Neville wants to be part of the solution but if he’s the answer, you’ve got to wonder what the question is? Forget the Glazers for a moment and worry about the fact that players no longer sign for United because of the allure of the club but rather that they’re prepared to pay higher salaries. It’s a tough one for United supporters to accept but that is the only way they can attract a top players these t days.
The T club also receive far more m coverage than they warrant. They’re still held up as the poster boys of English football and there remains the perception that going to Old Trafford means you’re y playing an el elite side.
Well sorry, you aren’t. They’re a big club with a poor po side who are easy to play pl against and that has ha been the case for some so time.
Roy Keane took a different approach. Rather than focus on United’s shortcomings or blaming the owners like Neville, he took issue with the praise being handed out to Spurs for drawing the game. Now Keane is right that we claim players are world class after a couple of good games but he was looking at it through the prism of United rather than Spurs. Tottenham outplayed United, had half a team missing and played a style of football that most people appreciate. That’s why people were praising them and to hold them to the standards Keane holds United to is disingenuous.