Yannick Bolasie criticises Gary Neville’s commentary during Manchester United match
Former Everton winger Yannick Bolasie has launched a scathing attack on Gary Neville following the pundit’s commentary during Manchester United’s defeat at Old Trafford, reports BritPanorama.
The 36-year-old Brazilian-based footballer chose to silence his television rather than endure what he perceived as Neville’s excessive tactical pontificating. Bolasie took to social media to express his frustration, mockingly suggesting the former United defender fancied himself as football’s next great tactical mastermind.
The ex-Crystal Palace player’s sardonic comparison to Manchester City’s celebrated manager Pep Guardiola highlighted his disdain for what he viewed as Neville’s overconfident analysis during Monday evening’s match. This came as the Toffees secured an unlikely triumph, prevailing 1-0 despite being reduced to ten players after just 13 minutes.
Midfielder Idrissa Gueye received his marching orders for striking colleague Michael Keane during an on-pitch dispute. Despite this, David Moyes’s side demonstrated remarkable resilience, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s spectacular strike in the 29th minute proving decisive, lifting Everton above Liverpool into 11th position in the Premier League standings.
United manager Ruben Amorim responded by introducing Mason Mount, Diogo Dalot, and Kobbie Mainoo in pursuit of an equaliser. However, the home side’s numerical advantage yielded no reward as they remained stranded in tenth place.
Neville’s commentary proved particularly caustic when addressing Luke Shaw’s display. He remarked, “I’m not saying it’s easy playing against ten men, you have to play with some urgency, you have to put as many players as possible forward, into forward areas.” His criticism intensified as he observed Shaw’s movement: “Shaw is starting to move forward a little bit, but he’s ambling forward, let’s be clear. He’s been bugging me for the last 20 minutes.” The former defender showed no mercy in his assessment: “You can’t do that. You should be running forward every single time, I don’t care.”
Bolasie’s social media outburst revealed the depth of his irritation with the broadcast. “I’m watching this game on mute,” he tweeted during the match. He elaborated on his decision to silence the commentary, saying, “I respect opinions but not when he’s giggling all over the mic thinking he’s the second coming of Guardiola, allow it.”
Despite acknowledging Neville’s playing credentials, Bolasie remained dismissive of his analytical contributions, concluding with, “Great player but the tactics give it a rest laaaad.” The former Congo international’s public rebuke underscored the growing divide between Neville’s punditry style and certain viewers’ preferences.
As football analysts continue to polarise audiences, the interaction between former players and their contemporary roles offers a revealing glimpse into the evolving landscape of sports commentary. The disconnect between tactical analysis and the fans’ appetite for straightforward observation is as old as the game itself, but it seems to be richer than ever in the current climate.
