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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jake Stokes & Isaac Johnson

Gary Neville spares Manchester United defender from criticism after Newcastle draw

Gary Neville blasted two key Manchester United defenders for poor performances in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Monday evening.

An Edinson Cavani equaliser and a terrific David de Gea save spared United's blushes as Ralf Rangnick dropped his first points at interim boss.

But United didn't escape the wrath of Neville who branded their defending throughout the game as "atrocious".

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, he said: "The two centre-backs for United [Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire] were absolutely atrocious, let's be clear.

"From the very first minute to the last, they were nervous, didn’t look like they were sure."

Varane, who started his first game since coming back from a hamstring injury that kept him out for almost two months, made an error that led to Allain Saint-Maximin's opening Newcastle goal early on.

However, Neville did give a nod to Diogo Dalot, who had the task of dealing with the dangerous Newcastle goalscorer.

He added: "I’d hate to play against [Saint-Maximin]. I feel for Diogo Dalot tonight.

"He was exposed at times but he stuck to his task, he did okay but he was up against a tough opponent. One of the worst to play against in the league."

Dalot played a pivotal role in the build-up to United's equaliser to set up Cavani and recovered after being given a tough examination by Saint-Maximin.

The Newcastle game was Dalot's fourth start of the season, as he continues to keep Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of the team under Rangnick.

United sit seventh, seven points off fourth-placed Arsenal, although the Gunners have played two games more.

We’ve teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to vote for their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Vote for the match that mattered to you here.

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