Neville slams Man United defensive duo after Newcastle loss

Joe Williams

Phil Neville has labelled Chris Smalling and Phil Jones a “disaster” following Manchester United’s last two away matches.

The Red Devils have lost their last two games on their travels, losing to Tottenham 2-0 in late January before their narrow 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho’s side have only conceded 19 goals all season – the best in the league – but Neville thinks that record is down to goalkeeper David de Gea and midfielder Nemanja Matic.

“They have got the best defensive record because they have the best goalkeeper in the world in David de Gea and [Nemanja] Matic out in front who protects them really well,” Neville said on Match of the Day 2.

“But the last two away games [against Tottenham and Newcastle], Smalling and Jones have been a disaster.

“Against Dele Alli and Harry Kane, they got bullied. Against Newcastle did they make many mistakes, no, but they created a nervousness and a tension.”

And Jones made no excuses after the match against Newcastle and admitted that United were simply not good enough.

“We didn’t show up today, we started slowly and they pressed us and the crowd were on their feet,” Jones told MUTV.

“We got control midway through the first half and should have scored. We had a few chances cleared off the line, but we weren’t at the races, we weren’t good enough, it’s as simple as that.

“Ultimately we have conceded a sloppy goal and the lads are devastated in the dressing room.”