Gary Lineker defends Manchester United's globe-trotting squad after Gary Neville rant shot down

Gary Lineker has hit back at Gary Neville after the Manchester United great took aim at the current squad on social media.

The two players-turned-pundits clashed on Twitter after Neville called out Ralf Rangnick and his United team for going on a 'global tour' in the aftermath of their home defeat to Atletico Madrid. The Champions League was the United's last chance of silverware this season, having seen their Premier League title hopes descend into tatters by the November break and early exits in both the League Cup and FA Cup.

With no further game in March due to match postponements and an international break, United players were granted time off by the German interim manager. Rangnick attended the cricket Test match between England and the West Indies in Barbados while Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay were in Dubai to watch boxing and Joel Glazer was in Bahrain to watch the first F1 race of the season.

READ MORE: Ajax chief Edwin van der Sar has already dropped Erik ten Hag hint

That activity angered Neville, who appealed for those involved to keep a low profile in light of defeat. The former United captain heavily criticised players and club officials as he branded them 'tone deaf' for posting those images so soon after they had crashed out of the marquee European competition.

Lineker, though, saw it differently. The Match of the Day host compared today's exposure to when they were players, replying: "True, they were mostly busy getting hammered down the pub without everyone on social media to spy on them."

Neville replied: "Not sure the spy needs to work too hard at Test matches, F1, boxing and UFC."

Addressing his 8.3million followers, Lineker continued: "Do you really think that's a problem? Going to