Gary Neville claims Man Utd's attempts to copy Man City blueprint is backfiring

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the Reds have tried and failed to mimic some of Manchester City ’s key tactics in recent seasons.

Ralf Rangnick’s side came into their crucial home clash against Leicester City 22 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side and four points away from the Champions League places. While United have been trophyless since their Europa League and League Cup triumphs in 2017, City have won four Premier Leagues, four League Cups, and the FA Cup.

United’s current league position and City’s continued brilliance could also see them fall even further behind the reigning Premier League champions. And Neville believes the Reds need to abandon the current methods they have followed recently if they are to have any hope of making up ground on their fierce rivals.

"You see Manchester City play with De Bruyne or Foden in that false nine position, and I think Manchester United feel as though they can do that with Bruno (Fernandes)," Neville said to Sky Sports News. "But for me, Bruno is not that type of player, he is more of a passer and not a runner.

“You saw it away at Manchester City that it did not work, but today we will see how it goes. Elanga and Sancho are going to have to play as split strikers almost and make those runs in between the centre-backs."

Fernandes and United midfielder were deployed as United’s main attacking threat in their 4-1 away defeat against Manchester City, while Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga provided the width. After a good first half which saw Sancho curl home a wonderful equaliser, United were taken a part in the second half by the Citizens.

However, United’s troubles do not end in their recent utilisation of Fernandes and Pogba as so called ‘false