Gary Neville compared Manchester United’s lack of height in the line-up that went down 4-0 at half-time to Brentford to “a men’s team against under-nines”.
After David de Gea’s howler and Mathias Jensen’s ruthless capitalisation on a defensive error, Ben Mee out-jumped new signing Lisandro Martinez to nod home a third. Bryan Mbeumo added a fourth to ensure United had one of their worst ever first halves.
Mee’s goal came from a corner, prompting recollections of United’s woeful defensive record from set-pieces last season. Brentford are stacked with height and played on this advantage for the goal.
READ MORE: 'Absolute disgrace!' - United fans rage at first-half performance vs Brentford
Martinez’s 5ft 9in stature had raised concerns amongst United fans before his arrival and those fears were realised 30 minutes into his second Reds outing. Neville identified the lack of height in Erik ten Hag’s team selection and his former club’s problems from set-pieces.
“If you’d have said to me before the game Brentford would score off a set-piece I’d say, 'yes, I absolutely think they will',” he said while commentating for Sky Sports. “This is no surprise whatsoever.
“ Erik ten Hag has picked the smallest team he possibly could, thinking they were going to outperform Brentford and outplay them. Martinez 5ft 9in against Ben Mee? No chance.
“You have to deal with the physical aspect of the Premier League and Manchester United are not doing that.” He then unapologetically added: “Ben Mee… it’s like a men’s team against under-nines.
"What a game we are seeing here, it’s the annihilation of Manchester United. I’m trying to think of one thing Manchester United have done well in the first half and I can’t think of one. Not a cross, not a pass. Not a run. Not one thing.”
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