Micah Richards mocks Neville over Solskjaer protection with Carragher and Gerrard comment
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Manchester City icon Micah Richards has mocked Gary Neville over his protection of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in light of Manchester United’s poor form. Richards has also questioned whether Jamie Carragher will give the same backing to his former Liverpool team-mate Steve Gerrard following the ex-Rangers manager’s appointment as Aston Villa head coach.
United won four of their opening five Premier League games of the season but have suffered a reverse in fortunes since mid-September.
The Red Devils have picked up just four points in the top-flight out of a possible 18.
That dismal run of form has seen the team defeated by Villa, Leicester City, Liverpool and Man City as Man Utd have fallen to sixth in the Premier League table – nine points off leaders Chelsea.
But Neville has refused to call for Solskjaer’s head, who he played alongside at Old Trafford.
The former right-back clearly feels a great deal of loyalty to the Norwegian and even reiterated his beliefs that the manager will stay in Manchester until at least the end of the season, even after the side’s latest loss.
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“The club aren’t going to do anything here,” Neville told Sky Sports after the Red Devils had been beaten 2-0 at home by Pep Guardiola’s side at the weekend.
“The plan all season has been to stick with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season. And that’s where I’m at, even after Saturday.”
Richards took to social media in the aftermath of Gerrard’s appointment in the west Midlands to speculate on whether Carragher will adopt Neville’s approach and give the new Aston Villa boss his unwavering support throughout his tenure at his new club.
“I wonder if @Carra23 is gonna protect Gerrard like @GNev2 protects Solskjaer, but that’s not my business,” Richards wrote on Twitter.
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Former Villa assistant manager John Terry later got in on the action as he replied to Richards with two laughing emojis.
Carragher and Gerrard were Liverpool team-mates for nearly two decades and both started as the Reds lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005.
The pair also won the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups together, although they didn’t manage to win the Premier League title.
Gerrard became Villa boss after three years in charge of Rangers.
Last season, the former midfielder led the Gers to the Scottish Premiership title as the side remained unbeaten and racked-up 102 points.
He also took Rangers to the last 16 of the Europa League in each of the last two seasons.
“Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new head coach,” Gerrard said after taking over at Villa Park.
“In my conversations with Nassef [Sawiris], Wes [Edens] and the rest of the board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.”
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