Former top-flight footballer Kevin Campbell has blasted Manchester United following Bruno Fernandes’ questioning of the side’s attitude following Sunday’s derby defeat.
The Red Devils went into the weekend’s encounter with renewed verve and vigour following four consecutive Premier League wins.
However, they were humbled by rivals Manchester City, who were 4-0 ahead by half-time and played the final 15 minutes with Bernardo Silva and Sergio Gomez in a two-man midfield as they took their foot off the gas.
It finished 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, and as quoted by Yahoo News following the thrashing, Fernandes questioned the team’s attitude and belief.
When Football Insider put it to Campbell what he thought of the attacking midfielder’s reasoning for the defeat, he replied: “Players’ attitude in question during the Manchester derby? That is wrong.
“Fair enough if you get beat and don’t play well. But to have doubts over the players’ attitudes? That is the one thing that should always be right on derby day. You have to get that right.
“United hadn’t played for a month. I thought they were going to zip it about or look pedestrian. City made them look pedestrian.
“To be 4-0 down at half-time in the derby is embarrassing. They had a go second half, but City had already taken their foot off the gas.
“Players have to get their attitude right on derby day. That is the minimum requirement.”
TIF Thoughts on Campbell’s comments…
Will Manchester United lift any silverware this season?
Yes
No
The Sky Sports pundit has every right to call out the side if indeed they were lacking in belief heading across the city.
With four straight wins, including victories against Liverpool and current league leaders Arsenal along the way, surely the side should have shown more confidence in their abilities.
Heading to the Etihad Stadium is daunting in itself for any team these days, but essentially admitting defeat before you get off the team bus is indeed ‘embarrassing’ heading into a derby, and is certainly something for Erik ten Hag to sort out going forward.