Micah Richards and Gary Neville in HEATED row over Manchester United’s manager role after derby defeat, with former City star questioning why Ralf Rangnick was hired and insisting they should have gone for Antonio Conte
- Gary Neville and Micah Richards were embroiled in a heated debate on TV
- The pundits argued after Manchester United’s 4-1 loss against Manchester City
- Former City defender Richards questioned Ralf Rangnick’s role at Old Trafford
- The German was appointed on an interim basis until the end of this campaign
- In response, the ex-United stalwart Neville insisted it was the right decision
- Richards gestured wildly and raised his voice; Neville put his head in his hands
Gary Neville and Micah Richards were embroiled in a blazing argument over Ralf Rangnick‘s role at Manchester United after their derby defeat against Manchester City.
United lost 4-1 and were comprehensively outplayed by their bitter rivals at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening, with interim boss Rangnick’s tactics questioned by Neville himself.
Richards insisted he should not have been appointed manager, raising his voice and gesticulating wildly, while Neville put his head in his hands and told his fellow pundit to ‘stop ranting’ as tempers boiled over in a heated row.
Micah Richards (second right) and Gary Neville (left) were involved in a heated argument on TV
The pair were working as pundits on the Manchester derby on Sunday, in which City won 4-1
Neville put his head in his hands (left) in response to Richards raising his voice in a blazing row
The debate began when former United stalwart Neville said: ‘I can absolutely, categorically tell you Ralf Rangnick will not be the manager next season. Not because he’s doing a bad job – he’s just not being the manager next season.
Ex-City defender Richards responded: ‘So why give him the manager’s job in the first place?’ with Neville cutting in: ‘Micah, Micah…’
Richards continued: ‘It’s about the here and now – are you just getting rid of this season then? Is that what you’re doing?’
A clearly frustrated Neville then shot back: ‘You’re ranting emotionally without really making sense. Chelsea have appointed interim managers until the end of the season, just to get them to the end of the season.’
Richards, raising his voice, added: ‘Just because you’re connected to Man United doesn’t mean my opinion’s irrelevant. Rangnick’s best work is done behind the scenes. You brought him in as interim, he’s not done great, he’s losing all credibility, he’s going upstairs – you think a new manager’s going to listen to him?’
Former City defender Richards was questioning why interim boss Ralf Rangnick (left) was appointed at Old Trafford if there was no chance of him leading the team on a long-term basis
Richards then suggested United should have appointed Antonio Conte, now Tottenham boss
Neville replied: ‘Stop ranting, what should they have done?’ with Richards saying: ‘Gone for (Antonio) Conte! Conte was available when he went to Spurs! He was the best available manager at the time. And because he doesn’t fit the ‘Man United way’? The Man United way is you don’t win any trophies! Conte’s done it!’
Upon Neville denying United’s interest in appointing Conte, now at Tottenham, when he was without a club after leaving Inter Milan, Richards exclaimed: ‘Why would you not want Conte? You don’t want winners now? Is that where Man United are? You don’t want winners any more?’
Neville said: ‘I agree with them not wanting him. Conte’s not a manager for Man United. He comes in for one or two years, does a great job, no problem…’ before Richards rhetorically asked: ‘Do you want to be mediocre for the next 10 years? Is that what you want?’
Neville concluded: ‘They wanted to appoint Pochettino or Ten Hag on a long-term project and they needed someone to get them until the end of the season. Manchester United need a longer term approach to a manager.’
Kevin De Bruyne’s double either side of Jadon Sancho’s equaliser saw City lead 2-1 at the interval, before Riyad Mahrez’ brace after the break put the gloss on the hosts’ win.
