Gary Neville took to Twitter on Tuesday night to apologize for his statement when Manchester United won 1-0 over Burnley at Turf Moor.
The Sky Sports pundit and United right-back had a joint statement for the Red Devils-winning game thanks to a strike in the second half from Paul Pogba, which saw them recover in the Premier League.
But Neville seemed to make the wrong call on a few controversial minutes during the hard game, forcing him to offer an apology.
Gary Neville apologized on Twitter for his statement on how Manchester United won at Burnley
Neville vowed to be better for United’s coverage of Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday
When United won 1-0 against Burnley they went to the top of the Premier League, replacing Liverpool
‘Apologies for the statement tonight,’ Neville said. ‘Stockley Park all over the place, a rep in my ear says Salford have scored in the 92min and United have gone at the top of the league! Delirious! I’ll be better on Sunday. ‘
Erik Pieters was ruled out by a high-backed headline for Harry Maguire – an event that Sportsmail columnist Peter Crouch said on Twitter would have hit most of the 108 goals to cancel his league if he had been involved.
There was very little communication, but Neville reportedly said: ‘It may be the arm behind the head. It’s probably the elbow on the back, it uses it as you normally would for a lever. ‘
United left-back Luke Shaw was in hot water at one point in the game, with VAR running the rule over a challenge on Johann Berg Gudmundsson for about four minutes.
Neville seemed to agree with the forgetfulness of boss Harry Maguire’s defiant challenge
Maguire’s backhand boss appeared to have given United an important hand against Burnley
Peter Crouch was not too pleased with Maguire’s boss taken out for United
‘I think he’ s definitely deceived by Luke Shaw because he misses the ball and then continues through it, ‘said Neville.
‘I think he might be in trouble Luke Shaw looks at him again, because he’s actually putting his left foot out towards him, but we’ll see. ‘
Shaw was released from the hook by referee Kevin Friend – his place was cleared away – but whatever the view on the penalty, it was clear Shaw had contacted the member before he was caught. Gudmundsson, despite what Neville said.
Late in the game, Maguire was back at a high level with VAR reviewing a potential handball in the penalty area. VAR reviewed the incident and found that Maguire had nothing to answer.
But Neville said Maguire ‘could be in trouble here’. It was not and it would be a very severe punishment to obey.
VAR spent over four minutes looking at two possible red cards, including Luke Shaw’s tack.
The Manchester United defender’s challenge was first conceded by referee Kevin Friend
The United Maguire captain was once again involved in a late-handed shouting call for his dismissal
Neville’s calls went unnoticed by football fans watching the game on Sky, and not many of them went to Twitter.
‘Looking at my timeline over Neville’s commentary, who would have always thought I’d be happy to listen to Jim Beglin on NBC,’ one fan wrote.
Another, who dealt with the Shaw challenge, said: ‘He usually enjoys Neville’ s statement but I am tempted by that. Clearly the ball caught. Follow through with only a member first. ‘
Another user on Twitter called on Premier League broadcasters to remove former professionals from commenting on their former clubs.
‘Get Neville off United statement, Get Carragher off Liverpool statement,’ said the user, known as JamesAVFC. Spoiling the game. If you ask him, do the same with all clubs. Gabby for Villa, Lee Hendrie etc. ‘
An investigation into Neville and Carragher continued, with another Twitter user saying: Interested in reading Gary Neville’s tweet tonight.
‘I think he’ s a great pundit, he & Carragher are the best around but it’s been hard for me to listen to a recent report. They both seem to struggle to be reasonable when their own clubs are playing. ‘
Neville was not reported indiscriminately on social media by onlookers
Another football fan said pundits should not mention clubs they played on
Another Twitter user criticized the recent statement by Neville and Carragher on Sky Sports
Elsewhere, 89-minute winner Neville’s Salford beat Scunthorpe in League Two on Tuesday night. They are fifth in the standings.
So for Neville, on the pitch at least, it was a good night for both of his teams and his attention turns to Sunday, when United will take on Liverpool ‘s Premier League goalkeepers at Anfield.
And he ‘s clearly already getting a feel for the game – he also shared a video of himself making his way out of Turf Moor on Tuesday night chanting the song’ It’s Red the Gary Neville, he hates Scousers’.