Gary Neville is adamant Erik ten Hag doesn’t believe Manchester United can win the Premier League title after he ‘prioritised’ the Europa League clash against Barcelona over Sunday’s victory over Leeds United.
United are two points behind second-placed Manchester City and five behind leaders Arsenal after they beat Leeds 2-0 at Elland Road.
Ten Hag made three changes for the trip to Leeds, with Jadon Sancho recalled to the starting line-up and Harry Maguire partnering Luke Shaw at centre-back.
That meant Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez – two players who have featured heavily under Ten Hag – were both on the bench.
Neville believes Ten Hag rested the World Cup finalists with Manchester United’s clash with Barcelona in mind and says it was proof that Ten Hag is ‘prioritising’ the Europa League over the Premier League.
‘I genuinely don’t think they are in the title race,’ Neville said on Sky Sports.
‘What was interesting was I was watching the second half and I didn’t think they were going to get the goal and I didn’t think they were going to get the win.
‘At that point I was thinking Erik ten Hag has actually prioritised the Barcelona game this week. He’s put Martinez and Varane on the bench and saved them for Barcelona and played Shaw and Maguire at centre-back.
‘If he thought he could win the Premier League he would obviously prioritise that so I think he’s even thinking the title is beyond them this season. He got away with it today and it’s worked but I just don’t think they can win the Premier League.
‘They’ve got so many games and I just don’t think they’re at the level of Man City and Arsenal right now.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag makes Marcus Rashford claim after Man Utd beat Leeds
MORE : Michael Owen rates Manchester United’s chances of catching Arsenal
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