Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has told Gary Neville to "pay attention to his words" after being disgruntled by comments made by the United legend likening their fixture with Liverpool this weekend to that of a pub match.
Neville, speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show following United's 2-1 win at Southampton, said Sunday's showdown could be “the Dog and Duck versus the Red Lion” - that despite the fact United are now five matches unbeaten and now up to third in the table.
“He can say everything because he is an ex-legend. But as an ex-legend ... or as a legend, you have to know what you are saying. You can interpret that [as you like]. It’s not difficult. He has to pay attention to his words," Van Gaal said when questioned on the Telegraph columnist's comments following the match.
The Dutchman, however, was in agreement with Neville that United had “got away with murder” at St Mary's while Southampton manager Ronald Koeman said that defeat was of their own doing rather than being beaten by the better team.
“It’s always difficult because you’re the better team and, again, you have to fight against a 1-2 down,” Koeman said.
“After that moment I think we didn’t play well. But that’s the difference. At this level detail makes the difference in football. The score is 1-2. You can talk long about who deserved to win, who played the football, who played the offensive football, which team did the pressing, but everything is s*** because we lost."
Van Gaal, meanwhile, praised the performance of Van Persie who struck twice to secure the points.
“He was one of the three players on the pitch of Manchester United who were good or maybe very good. He had a great influence on the result. Very positive,” said Van Gaal.
“Until now it was his best performance. I hope but I have to say I was very pleased with his performance and also his goals. His second was not so easy because the ball was coming towards his right foot and he connected with his left. A nice touch. Normally you have six, seven, eight players who are good. But today there were too many not good, I believe.”
Van Gaal also revealed that Paddy McNair was withdrawn in the first half as the defender "had no confidence".
"It’s very disappointing for me and for Paddy but I had to because as a manager I am responsible. It’s tough but it’s also in his best interests. I have made a lot of changes and all the boys can survive. It is only one match, one moment in a lifetime.”
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