Sesko scores from bench again as Man Utd reclaim fourth | Nev tries (and fails!) to name his top 10 goalkeepers in Premier League history

0:00Rob Hawthorne:Welcome along to the Gary Neville podcast, which is coming to you today from the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Gary and I have just witnessed Manchester United coming up with what feels for them, Gary, like a huge win.

0:12Gary Neville:Huge win. And I don't know whether you were at that game with me pre-Christmas, Rob, where Ruben Amarim is the manager of Manchester United. Manchester United playing against 10-man Everton and Everton go and win 1-0. And it feels like a complete and utter turnaround from that moment. despair that night. You're thinking, where are Manchester United going? I remember being incredibly frustrated on commentary. I mean, Manchester United haven't played well tonight at all in the game. In fact, they were really poor in the quality. Maybe Everton's sort of what will be compact defensive shape, maybe having 10 days, two weeks off, just lost a little bit of rhythm.

0:46Gary Neville:But what they have done is they've dug in and they've kept a clean sheet, which is a good thing. Good thing for Leni Oro, I think, coming in because I think Martinez, before the game, when you heard that Martinez wasn't playing, you thought that could be a problem. Obviously, United's back four has been quite solid in the last couple of weeks. The goalkeeper, I thought, was my man of the match tonight. Not necessarily because he made loads of amazing saves, but everything he did, he just did really calmly and well. The tip over the bar at the end, there was a shot for him to Tariq George, wasn't it?

1:16Gary Neville:It just bounced in front of him and he just held it. And then Everton must have had about eight or nine corners. He didn't deal with every single one, but he dealt with a lot of them. and I think having a goalkeeper of composure who just does his job calmly, isn't frantic, isn't sort of rushing around I think makes a big difference in moments like that when you come into a place like this and they're putting enormous pressure on you so look it's a good night for Manchester United in a game whereby you'll say that they weren't at the best but we got three points and really big three points obviously Liverpool getting that late win yesterday put a little bit of pressure on Manchester United but they go up there into fourth now on the sort of shoulder of Aston Villa in a really great position.

1:57Gary Neville:Obviously Palace to come at the weekend are having a challenging time. So yeah, that's a really important win tonight. I think, look, in terms of sort of things to look at, Manchester United still look like when they're playing against a team that sits deep, they just don't quite have the sort of what would be the sustained quality, tempo and sort of rhythm in the passing to be able to sort of really break through teams. they still look better on the counter-attack and I have to say and we'll come on to the goal I'm sure that's one of the best counter-attacking goals you'll see

2:30Rob Hawthorne:I just want to mention Ruben Ameren though as you brought his name up I mean he must be looking at these results now and wondering what the difference is is it as simple as the change of system that he was wedded to?

2:42Gary Neville:Look I think obviously he got a number of things wrong when you look at what's happening now I mean not changing this he did change the system a little bit in a couple of games. And it looked like that could be a way forward, but then against Wolves, he went back the way. And that felt to me like the sort of terminal blow for Ruben Amrim. And then you look at sort of what happened with Cobby Manu, and you look at Cobby Manu out there playing alongside Casemiro, and they look like a very competent pair. And Cobby Manu looks like a football player. I mean, he looks like he can play the position really well.

3:14Gary Neville:He looks like he can handle the ball, which he can. And he looks like he's back to his best. And I think that that's something that obviously stands out. the system of play, Kobe Maynou, injuries, AFCON, obviously Harry Maguire coming back. There are a number of things. The mood, obviously, of Michael, the composure of Michael, the thing that, obviously, I think has changed. Maybe they're liking more what they're seeing on the training pitch. So you put all those things together, but it's, you know, Ruben Amren must be sat there at home watching Manchester United. I mean, I don't think he's a guy that will sit there and think that, you know, I can't believe this is happening.

3:46Gary Neville:I think he'll be, you know, he's worked with a lot of these players and a lot of the staff. but I think he might be sat there thinking what will I do differently in the future when I'm in that same position again and I get another job and maybe I am sort of being a little bit stubborn and not quite sort of making the changes that the players want but tonight I thought Manchester United started quite well in the first five or ten minutes but then obviously just the real lack of quality and it was almost called giveaway it wasn't possession it was giveaway for about half an hour between Everton and Manchester United They were just constantly sort of making errors on the ball.

4:26Gary Neville:And, like I say, both teams, you didn't really have an idea about how both teams would score a goal. You knew that one goal was going to win it. It was a real, I mean, at half-time we sat there and thinking, I hope this improves. And I think Jamie Carrigan said at half-time, this is the top, two of the top ten teams in the Premier League. And you're watching the game there and there wasn't a lot. At one point I wondered whether the pitch looked a little bit heavy. I don't know what you thought on that. I mean, did you think that?

4:51Rob Hawthorne:It was unusual, wasn't it, to see a Premier League pitch like that, holding a bit of water?

4:56Gary Neville:Yeah, I thought it looks perfect, and it hasn't been torrential rain like we've seen in the last few weeks. It's just a little bit of light drizzling. You think it's going to be absolutely perfect to zip it around, but it just didn't quite play like that, and the players maybe didn't contribute to that either. But look, a number of things I think. Everton, I think, will be really frustrated. I think that all those set pieces they had in the second half, they'll have thought that maybe they should have got, well, they'll definitely think they should have got something out of those. The pressure that they were putting on the goalkeeper, the Manchester United defenders, they'll think that, you know, was it 10 corners they had in that period?

5:31Gary Neville:And you're thinking out of that, not necessarily directly from a corner, but even for when a second phase and the ball comes out, that you'll hit one, it'll deflect and it'll go in it. They didn't really create a chance. I can't remember a chance that they had from one of those corners, which is credit to Manchester United. he's now actually here doing an interview Senna Lamans I think he's actually doing it into the studio with Edwin van der Sar which I think to be fair I wish I was listening to this but let's listen to this here we go let's listen to this for a second

6:03Gary Neville:Edwin's just saying there that obviously it's the first season in the Premier League and you know you made a couple of good saves you're dealing with things with your hands you're good composure I mean I've said it before I'm not going to say it again, people will get tired of me saying it. I do think it's the most difficult position and most scrutinised position in English football. And I had my concerns when he came in. I thought, why would you take a chance with a goalkeeper who's young, who's not got the pedigree, who's played in a different league, who's going to come to Manchester United?

6:33Gary Neville:He could eat him up, and it is early. But he looks like he's got the temperament, and he's got the technical quality, and he's doing the right things and he holds the ball when he should hold it. He punches when he should punch it. But even when he punches, it's not one of those wild punches. It's just a solid sort of like, everything seems under control. And I like order in my goalkeepers. I don't like anything that's frantic, that demonstrates anxiety to a crowd. Because if you do that at Old Trafford, that's Stretford then behind you at one end and the K stand at the other. If they can feel and smell that goalkeeper's not quite right and that they've got a little bit of sort of nervousness about them, it won't go well.

7:13Gary Neville:It will not go well. And this kid, to be fair, he's come in. I really have been impressed with him. And look, he looks like he's got a big, big future. Early days, but I'm not really sort of talking about this last four or five matches. I'm talking about when Manchester United were under significant pressure. And, you know, if you think about it, the clouds are circling under Ruben Amorim. And I still thought that he was doing quite well in that period. so now in a team that's winning he looks even better but I think just overall throughout the whole period coming in at a challenging time an ever-changing defence Ruben Amner used to change his centre-backs every 10 seconds I think he's done brilliantly well and I gave him man of the match today just purely because I thought he actually contributed to Manchester United to clean sheet probably more than the four defenders who did really well too

8:01Rob Hawthorne:We're going to talk more in a moment about goalkeepers because that has been the theme of the night on Monday Night Football but we're going to take a more historical angle but you've spoken about the goalkeeper what about the goal scorer because Seshko had a rough time as well under Amory it didn't seem like he could score now the goals are coming more freely has he done enough to earn a starting place?

8:21Gary Neville:He's if he's not there he's certainly right on the door and he should be banging down on Michael Carrick I think he's celebrated I liked his celebration because that was a I'd like to see aggression from him he's 6 foot 4 I mean he should be beating centre-backs up and there's a little bit when you saw him earlier on in the season, he looked a little bit timid, a little bit upright. And just now, he's just starting to have a little bit more power about him. And to me, he's quite quick when he actually gets going and you see him sort of make his moves forward. But that celebration, I thought, was a message to everybody.

8:55Gary Neville:I mean, also mainly those Manchester United fans over in the corner who were going wild. But that was a message to say, get me in this damn team now. This is my start. I start next time. I think he'll be really disappointed. Having scored the goal against West Ham, which is a wonderful goal not to be in that team today. You say he had a difficult time under Ruben Armoury, absolutely, but Michael Carrick's not started him yet in any game. So he's obviously, to be fair, preferring other players, it's fair to say. However, what he's now done in these last three games, the winner against Fulham, the West Ham goal, which was a big goal to get a point out of that game where United didn't play well, and then this today, a winner, in a game where, again, Manchester United haven't played well.

9:35Gary Neville:It was a world-class counter-attack. and absolutely, I mean, I always think the best Manchester United goal, my favourite Manchester United goal ever is the actual Ronaldo header away in, I think it was Rome, in the Champions League. I've never seen anything like it. It's, like, monumental. But then when you put the other goals in there, I always think of counter-attacking goals. The goal at Arsenal in the Champions League, another goal at Arsenal, I think, in the league, just amazing, quick, devastating counter-attacks to what I believe, you know, I see when I think of a Manchester United goal.

10:08Gary Neville:That is as good as you'll see. The Cunha pass is absolutely sensational. And then Bermot, that's when he's at his absolute best. When you think of him at Brentford, or you think of him at his best at United in these last few months, is when he's running on to play the counter-attacking. And in United, they're a better counter-attacking team than they are actually trying to, you know, break teams down. And then you see Cescou's run, and it's the classic. And he's got a bit to do. He's got a good goalkeeper in front of him, and he just really solidly hits it into the corner. I don't know how long, it must have been five or six seconds from the point it was cleared out of the box, but it was a brilliant goal.

10:41Gary Neville:And for Cesco now, I think on Sunday against Crystal Palace, I think he starts. And I haven't always been convinced about him this season, but what you have to do, I think, is move with what you see. And I think there is a moment now where United have just struggled in the last couple of games against West Ham and Everton. He looks like he's growing in his game and in his body and he looks like he's got more power in his performance. His confidence is high. And I think now on Sunday, I think Michael Carrick starts him. Just feeling how Michael will look at that, I think it would kill the lad if he didn't start on Sunday.

11:18Gary Neville:So I think what you'll see on Sunday is probably Cunha to the left and Bermot to the right. I think Sesko up top and I think you'll see Bruno obviously in behind. And I think that Ahmad will just slip out for a game, which he's been really good, Ahmad. but I think Sesko starts Sunday because I don't think you can't not start him. Scoring three games on the bounce, scoring winners and equalisers, doing what he's done tonight, you've got to put him in. I think, to be fair, before the game today, I thought, will he play him? I thought he might play him just because Everton, I think, have conceded more headed goals from crosses than most other teams.

11:51Gary Neville:I thought, you know, Sesko in there obviously is more of a threat than Kunja or Embermo but decided to go with those four that I like. I like the four up top. that they're really lively and bright. But if teams are going to sit deep against you, which I think, to be fair, West Ham did, Everton did, Crystal Palace are likely to maybe do on Sunday, then maybe Cesc goes a bit more, obviously he's got a lot more presence and maybe it'll suit him. So I think he starts Sunday and he deserves it. A lot of pressure. I just said before about the biggest pressure, I think, in English football. I think he's a Manchester United goalkeeper, but not far behind that would be a striker who comes for big money to United.

12:27Gary Neville:Because if you don't score goals, and it was the same back in my day. People think that the pressure was just applied to players here. When Andy Cole didn't score for a long time and Diego Forland didn't score for a long time at United, there was big pressure building on those players. Teddy Sheringham in his first season at Manchester United when he came in for Eric Cantona, he got absolutely hammered. So I think that when you come in as a striker with a big price tag, you've got to deliver and he's starting to deliver. He really is.

12:54Rob Hawthorne:Is there a danger that you make yourself too useful in doing it from the bench, that a manager will keep you back for when a team's tiring and that situation with the break just suits you and suits that player?

13:06Gary Neville:Yeah, I mean, look, there is a danger that maybe that he's sort of getting that super sub type title, but I don't think he's that tight. I think he's a starting player. I don't think he's a super sub. He has been a super sub in the last few games because he's needed to be. But I don't think he is someone, I think he's someone now that Michael will look at and think, right, OK, you know, I've not started you in a single game, by the way. I've preferred other players, which sends a clear message that I like other players instead of you. However, on Sunday, I'm going to play you because I think you deserve it and I like you now in front of them.

13:40Gary Neville:So he's worked his way into a position the hard way through Ruben Armourin, which was a struggle for him, coming in with that price tag. And then, you know, you look at how Kunyur and maybe Embermov have settled in a lot quicker because they played in the league before. This kid's younger and he's obviously not played in the Premier League. and he just looked a little bit awkward. But we saw Jokeres yesterday. I thought Jokeres was his best performance of the season for Arsenal and he's at times been below par and sort of tried to get up to speed. I think Cesc has been like that at times during this season but he looks a lot more confident.

14:13Gary Neville:I don't think he's ever going to be the perfect striker, similarly like I said yesterday about Jokeres, but if he can be a handful, if he can contribute with goals, if he can hold things up, if he can link play, then that'll be enough that will be enough because you don't have to be always perfect and today like you say I think it's a big moment for him he starts on Sunday I don't think he will be a super sub I think that you know he will end up getting into the team and if he gets into the team he's on seven goals now or eight goals? Eight goals now Eight goals I mean now if he can sort of how many games have United got left?

14:45Gary Neville:Ten? Eleven? Eleven now Eleven So if he can get another four or five and finish this season in double figures yeah I think with to be fair in his first season which with the struggle that either team were having at the beginning I think that would be deemed to be a good season so he's got it all in front of him to play for and I think he will I say Crystal Palace he a bit of a damp swim now but if he doesn't start he will start I'm pretty convinced

15:12Rob Hawthorne:OK we shall see how do you read the Champions League race now Villa and Chelsea dropping points this weekend Liverpool getting a victory that in the eyes of many they didn't necessarily deserve but it is looking quite strong now isn't it for Manchester United that situation

15:28Gary Neville:Yeah I mean there was a period for that five or six weeks where they played games where you kept thinking they could go into the top four and they didn't and now they are they've got an incredible opportunity to finish in the top four I think they will I think they will I think the other teams start playing in Europe they've got distractions United haven't got any distractions I mean that doesn't necessarily mean they've had no game for two weeks and haven't played particularly well here today but I just think they're now starting to get over the line in games where they wouldn't have done before and yeah I think they've got a bit look it's too early to say I think they could finish third I really do think they could finish third and I think I said a couple of weeks I thought Villa might just get pulled back a little bit like I say these teams have got European football in front of them and that's a big distraction and Manchester United don't have that and I think they're in a decent place.

16:23Gary Neville:You look at the players out there, they go over to celebrate tonight, look like they're in a decent sort of mood. They're winning when they play well, they're winning when they don't play well, they're picking up points when they didn't play well at West Ham so all of the right things are starting to happen. They've hit a really good run. I do think they'll finish third or fourth.

16:44Gary Neville:I mean, I've probably said at times in this last three months Manchester United have no chance of finishing the Champions League. But this is just a bizarre season. Teams are dropping points. Chelsea dropped points against Burnley on Saturday. Villa dropped points. Liverpool obviously did win in the end. But yeah, I think United get there now. And that'll be a sort of big move in terms of where they were last season. I think it'll be a big move to get into Champions League. But where they were a few weeks ago, obviously when they sack a manager. And you don't think for the life of you that they can go and beat Arsenal and manage the City and everyone else that they've beaten in this last few weeks.

17:16Gary Neville:So it's been an incredible points total that's been pulled together. And I think they're now, I won't say clear favourites to finish in the top four, but they are in pole position.

17:25Rob Hawthorne:And a word about Everton. Strange turnaround in their season. They were doing really well here. Tottenham came and won. And since then, it's been a little bit sticky for them. No win in six at their new stadium now. Yeah, I was here for the Tottenham game.

17:37Gary Neville:And it was a really strange day where Tottenham, I think, scored from two corners. I think Van der Ven scored two, did he? Yeah, I was here doing the commentary. And it was my first time actually in this stadium. and I was expecting this exciting atmosphere. But obviously you don't get that when your team are losing 2-0. But yeah, I've been here twice and seen them beaten twice. I actually thought tonight they were game, they were dogged, they were organised. They got beaten by a sensational goal from a counter-attack the full length of the pitch. And it was always going to be about one moment of quality or one mistake.

18:07Gary Neville:I say I think that what David Moyes... David Moyes, I think at the end of the season, will just want a higher contribution from his board and the ownership around... around, you know, he needs some players, doesn't he? Because I think what he's getting out of these players here and the position they are in the league and the points total they have is absolutely fantastic. Because out on that pitch, it's not a spectacular team. It's not a spectacular team. They've got a very good set of pros who put a real shift in. And that, to be fair, is a great quality. You can't criticise any of them lads out on that pitch tonight.

18:39Gary Neville:Now, I always say, if you're an Everton fan leaving this stadium, they'll be really disappointed. but what they'll never do is question the actual commitment of the players out on that pitch. You can't. You can see they're giving everything, but they just need that three or four players. Every team probably needs three or four players. But if they had an Embermo, that type of player, a player that maybe even exists at other clubs, they don't seem to have. They've got NGI down here, which is lively and he's good, but they just need two or three players, don't they, that just can give them that little bit of quality to go with the solidity and reliability of the other lads that they've got.

19:17Gary Neville:And they could then jump up into sort of that eighth, seventh and be challenging in those positions but they're going to need that recruitment to be good and they're going to need supporting and David Moyes is going to need backing and these Everton fans deserve that. Apart from that bloke who's having a go at me for the last half an hour of the match. I was thinking you've had a bit of earache, have you? For about half an hour, do you want to hear him? I was too busy concentrating. Why do you want to shut up? Honestly. But yeah, so I think that, yeah, you feel for Everton obviously in the sense that tonight they put an awful lot into the game.