Gary Neville brands Manchester United ‘a joke’ after Everton defeat dents top-four chances

Gary Neville branded Manchester United “a joke” after their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt a blow by a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Everton.

United’s top-four prospects suffered a serious setback as Anthony Gordon’s deflected first-half strike gave Everton a vital win in the fight to avoid relegation.

After another damaging defeat, United stay four points off Tottenham and Arsenal in the race to finish fourth.

Neville tweeted: “United a joke. Well done to Everton. Would have also been hard for Frank Lampard to hear Sean Dyche say what he said so well done to him. Some response.”

Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “Before the game, how bad Everton have been, I was still not sure whether United would get a result and that tells you a lot about where they are.

“You do not know what you are going to get from them, either individually or as a team. That is not a good place to be.”

United are closing in on the appointment of Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman now expected to beat Mauricio Pochettino to the job.

Asked whether talks about a new manager are distracting, United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said: “I don’t think this should be an excuse.

“We are Manchester United. We have lots of international players. There shouldn’t be an alibi. There will be a new manager next season. If this is announced now or in 10 days it shouldn’t have an impact.”

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