Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher clash in heated Man United manager debate – as former Red Devils man defends Erik ten Hag AGAIN with Liverpool legend fighting Arne Slot’s corner

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have clashed amid a heated managerial row over Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Sky Sports analysts sat side by side on the portal at Old Trafford on Sunday during commentary as Carragher’s former Reds team beat their biggest rivals 3-0.

After the match, the pair discussed the situation at both Liverpool and United, with Neville noting that United manager Erik ten Hag needed time to get used to the club’s new structure due to the pressure.

Carragher could hardly believe his ears and the duo are once again embroiled in a debate in the final episode of Stick to football.

The incident started with Neville talking about Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool, but later turned to Ten Hag and his performances at United so far.

The duo both wanted to fight the corners of their respective former teams’ bosses

Erik ten Hag (right) was criticised by Carragher, but was defended by Neville during the debate

Arne Slot, who joined Liverpool in the summer as the club’s new manager, was also discussed

I think that after the [FA Cup] ‘final,’ Neville said of the Dutchman. ‘The fans wanted Ten Hag to stay and be supported.

‘They’ve seen enough managers get sacked over the years. I think they sounded out Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel around that time, but there was a bit of a negative reaction from fans.

‘There’s no doubt they flirted a bit in the market and saw what they could do. I think if there was an incredible manager who could improve United 100 per cent, beyond Ten Hag, they would have made a change. Liverpool had six months to replace Jurgen Klopp and still found it difficult to get their top targets.’

However, Carragher interrupted to defend Slot, who has had a near-perfect start as Liverpool manager.

The 45-year-old signed as Anfield’s new manager this summer, replacing Klopp, and has won his first three Premier League games without conceding a goal, putting him ahead of fellow countryman Ten Hag.

“Where do you get the idea that Arne Slot wasn’t Liverpool’s main target?” asked Carragher, much to the surprise of Neville, who made it clear that he took it for granted that Xabi Alonso would have been Liverpool’s preferred choice.

“I’m sure they asked about Alonso and were told straight away that he was staying at Bayer Leverkusen,” Carragher replied. “You say Liverpool did a big search, how do we know exactly what happened behind the scenes at Liverpool? Why didn’t Man Utd sign Arne Slot then?”

That led to Neville once again defending Ten Hag, who many felt had been fortunate to receive the backing of the United hierarchy in the summer.

“I think they would have looked at him but thought, ‘Can we really get rid of a player who has won two trophies in two years and who is not supported by the right structure, to appoint another Dutch manager?’” he replied.

However, Carragher criticised the United manager, replying: ‘What do you mean by a lack of proper structure? He’s gone out and brought in whoever he wanted.’

Neville was keen to stress that Xabi Alonso was likely Liverpool’s first choice to become manager

However, Slot has taken charge and has made a near-perfect start as manager at Anfield

Ten Hag has since been backed by United’s hierarchy over the summer, despite suggestions he could leave

The former defender was probably referring to a number of important newcomers from Ten Hag’s managerial period, such as Lisandro Martinez, André Onana and Antony, all three of whom played under him at Ajax.

The players have had mixed success, with some being regulars and others struggling to get playing time.

However, in the summer, new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe restructured United’s technical organisation, bringing in Dan Ashworth as sporting director and Omar Berrada as CEO.

Ten Hag has the full backing of the United hierarchy, Berrada has insisted, and has claimed he will ‘support him in every way possible’. […] so that he can fully concentrate on the training pitch and the tactical planning of the match to make Manchester United successful.’