Gary Neville makes honest Manchester United admission after Atletico Madrid defeat

Gary Neville admitted he wasn’t surprised by Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League as he again highlighted a major problem with the side.

United’s hopes of any silverware this season were ended by Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday. A 1-0 win was enough for Diego Simeone’s side to book their place in the quarter-finals, having drawn the first leg 1-1.

The defeat signalled yet another low in what has been a dismal season for United. Having held ambitions of a possible title challenge early in the campaign, they now find themselves out of all of the cup competitions, while their hopes of finishing in the top four remain in the balance.

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Hopes had been high that United could book their place in the quarter-finals, having overcome Tottenham in a crucial game at the weekend. Neville though, who criticised his former club following that win over Spurs, could see the defeat coming.

“No surprise last night,” Neville tweeted. “Any decent team, with organisation and fight are likely to beat this United team.

“It’s why I couldn’t get excited after Spurs last Saturday because that Spurs performance would will get you beat v[ersus] a good team. A long road in to the end of May!”

United now have just nine games in which to salvage something from their disappointing season. All focus now turns towards their efforts to finish in the Premier League’s top four, and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

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