Manchester United: Gary Neville predicts Erik ten Hag sacking as Old Trafford now 'the Theatre of Nothing'

Gary Neville has predicted Erik ten Hag will be sacked by Manchester United as Old Trafford, nicknamed the 'Theatre of Dreams', is now the "Theatre of Nothing".

Newcastle on Wednesday ran out convincing 3-0 winners to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as goals from Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall and Joe Willock sealed a comfortable victory for a team in the midst of a crippling injury crisis. It was the latest low point of a miserable season for Ten Hag & Co.

United were abject. Neville said during Sky Sports' coverage of the players: "They're just sleeping, they're complaining to the referee, whinging. And whilst they’re whinging, Newcastle are winning."

But it is not the squad nor the manager that Neville blames for United's current malaise, rather the Glazers. And the player-turned-pundit compared the situation to the ongoing inquiry into the British government's handling of the Covid pandemic.

He posted on X on Thursday morning: "In the last 4 days we’ve seen right in front of our eyes where you end up with over a decade of awful decisions. Fortunes wasted, anger turned to apathy, our reputation destroyed at home and in Europe, infrastructure well below standards and we all can’t wait for a total change in leadership. The Covid inquiry is no surprise [winking emoji]."

He added: "On my way up to the gantry last night I bumped into [Newcastle sporting director] Dan Ashworth. He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s doing. Will work with his coach, recruitment team and other departments coherently and calmly.

"In the last two matches Manchester United have played two clubs [in Man City and Newcastle] that have installed proper football departments to support the team on the pitch and off it. The complete opposite of United. We haven’t got a sporting director!

"I used to travel up to Newcastle and feel sorry for their great fans when the energy and enthusiasm had been sapped from them under [former owner] Mike Ashley. It was painful to see.

"Last night we saw the Theatre of Dreams turn into the Theatre of Nothing. Every single United fan bored and flat. On the pitch the players in shock, the performances woeful and a manager struggling in front of our eyes. We’ve seen it before, we know how it ends and we’ve had enough."