Gary Neville claims Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba are the ONLY creative players at Man United

Gary Neville has claimed Manchester United rely on Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba too much for creativity and need to improve at breaking teams down despite the Red Devils’ 1-0 victory over West Ham

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were frustrated for most of Sunday’s encounter at Old Trafford but found a way through in the second-half as Scott McTominay’s header deflected in off Hammers defender Craig Dawson.

Former United defender Neville believes Solskjaer’s men are not good enough against organised teams set up to defend in numbers – and they need to fix that in order to get closer to rivals and league leaders Manchester City

Gary Neville says Paul Pogba (left) and Bruno Fernandes (right) are Man United's only creative players

Gary Neville says Paul Pogba (left) and Bruno Fernandes (right) are Man United's only creative players

Gary Neville says Paul Pogba (left) and Bruno Fernandes (right) are Man United’s only creative players

United struggled in open play against West Ham on Sunday but still beat the Hammers 1-0

United struggled in open play against West Ham on Sunday but still beat the Hammers 1-0

United struggled in open play against West Ham on Sunday but still beat the Hammers 1-0

Neville told Sky Sports after United’s slender victory: ‘You know how Man United are, they struggle to break down teams. They’ve got to be better against teams in those deep blocks with ten men behind the ball. That’s where the next stage is.

‘It’s about being more higher quality in the final third. There are more organised and compact teams around now, especially teams in the bottom half. 

‘You need fantastic players: you look at Man City – (Kevin) De Bruyne, (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Riyad) Mahrez, (Phil) Foden… they have five or six of them.’

Neville says Ole Gunnar Solskajer's side struggle against teams who drop deep to defend

Neville says Ole Gunnar Solskajer's side struggle against teams who drop deep to defend

Neville says Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s side struggle against teams who drop deep to defend

Neville highlighted only two or three players capable of creating chances from open play against the lesser sides in United’s squad.

Fernandes was one of them – the Portuguese midfielder failed to make an impact against West Ham on Sunday but still has 23 goals and 13 assists to his name in all competitions.  

Pogba was another name but the French midfielder has missed the last month with a hamstring problem but is now close to returning to action. 

Neville then claimed that left-back Luke Shaw is the next most creative option in Solskjaer’s squad behind Fernandes and Pogba. 

Neville says Luke Shaw (above) is United's next creative option behind Fernandes and Pogba

Neville says Luke Shaw (above) is United's next creative option behind Fernandes and Pogba

Neville says Luke Shaw (above) is United’s next creative option behind Fernandes and Pogba

The ex-United defender added: ‘Fernandes and Pogba may open up defences in these situations, the rest need space to operate. 

‘Man City have five or six players, if two are injured someone else can unlock the door. If it’s not Fernandes then it’s probably Luke Shaw who’s most likely to do something (after that). 

‘They need to up their speed and their game a little bit. They play too slow against teams that drop off. When they played against City the passing was really good, they need to do that against teams that drop deep.’

Jamie Redknapp claims Manchester United currently miss Pogba in their midfield as the double pivot of Fred and Scott McTominay does not do enough to support Fernandes. 

Jamie Redknapp believes United miss Pogba playing in their midfield due to his creativity

Jamie Redknapp believes United miss Pogba playing in their midfield due to his creativity

Jamie Redknapp believes United miss Pogba playing in their midfield due to his creativity

The Sky pundit and Sportsmail columnist said: ‘They (United) need more creativity in the team. They miss Pogba.

‘There are games when you have Fred and McTominay in there and you don’t have the balance in home games like that. It’s easy to play against them. 

‘When you have Pogba and Bruno they are more difficult to break down. When he comes back, they are a different proposition.’ 

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