Gary Neville insists Manchester United are not in the Premier League title race despite their two-goal victory at Leeds on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock at Elland Road with ten minutes remaining as he headed home from Luke Shaw ’s cross before substitute Alejandro Garnacho wrapped up the points with a fine run and strike five minutes later.
It had threatened to be another frustrating encounter for Erik ten Hag’s side, coming just four days after being held to a 2-2 draw by the same opposition. The encounter was at stalemate for 80 minutes before United turned the tide late on.
Rashford headed home expertly from Luke Shaw’s cross and that opened up the game sufficiently for substitute Garnacho to thrive, showing his awareness and link-up play to run on to Wout Weghorst’s pass to add a second goal and settle the destination of the three points.
Having been frustrated for the majority of the match, the visitors began to run riot with Rashford putting the ball in the net again but it was ruled out for a marginal offside call and Weghorst also provided a close-range finish, yet it was determined the ball came from Harry Maguire rather than a Leeds defender.
It was a result that brought United to within five points of the summit of the Premier League – albeit league leaders Arsenal have two matches in hand – and appears to keep alive their faint title hopes. However, former defender Neville is not optimistic on their chances.
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“I genuinely don’t think they are in the Premier League title race,” Neville told Sky Sports after the game, before explaining that he thought Ten Hag may be prioritising other competitions.
“What was interesting was I was watching the second half [against Leeds] and I didn’t think United were going to get the goal and I didn’t think they were going to get the win.
“At that point I was thinking Erik ten Hag has actually prioritised the Barcelona game this week. He’s put Martinez and Varane on the bench and saved them for Barcelona and played Shaw and Maguire at centre-back.”
Neville continued: “If he thought he could win the Premier League he would obviously prioritise that so I think even he’s thinking the title is beyond them. He got away with it today and it’s worked but I just don’t think they can win the Premier League. They have got so many games and I just don’t think they’re at the level of Man City and Arsenal right now.”
