Gary Neville took aim at Marcus Rashford after Brennan Johnson’s early opener for Tottenham against Manchester United, blasting the forward’s ‘rubbish’ play prior to the goal.
The Red Devils, looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing goalless draw at Crystal Palace last time out, went behind just three minutes into this afternoon’s contest.
And while Johnson got his name on the scoresheet, the goal was all about Micky van de Ven’s scything run in the build-up, with the Dutch centre-back robbing Rashford of possession before bursting through United’s defence with an incredible turn of pace.
After beating fellow countryman Matthijs de Ligt, Van de Ven put the ball on a plate for an unmarked Johnson at the back post and the Welshman made no mistake from close range to break the deadlock.
‘Absolutely brilliant from Van de Ven. One of the best runs I’ve ever seen from a centre-back,’ Neville said on Sky Sports’ commentary of the Premier League clash.
‘Van de Ven just steps in and this is absolutely incredible.
‘He drives through four Manchester United players and the cross, well it’s just wonderful.’
The former United and England right-back blasted Rashford for clumsily giving away possession before criticising De Ligt for his lacklustre defending to allow Van de Ven to get a cross away.
‘I mean Rashford there… he just carries on running, rubbish from him,’ Neville added.
‘There’s enough players back to be able to stop him but he’s unstoppable. De Ligt starts off running too late and he completely misreads the pace of the Spurs centre-back.
‘It’s amazing. Absolutely brilliant and devastating from Van de Ven and Spurs. He [Johnson] is smiling before he puts it in the net.’
Erik ten Hag started Rashford on the bench for the side’s stalemate at Selhurst Park last weekend.
In the build-up, Ten Hag accused Rashford of displaying a lack of professionalism across the 2023/24 campaign, when the England international managed a total of just eight goals in all competitions for United.
This term, Rashford has netted just once in the Premier League, with the forward doubling United’s lead in a 3-0 victory over Southampton earlier this month.
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