Chelsea vs Manchester United: Phil Neville describes Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera's performances as 'scandalous'

Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge was one to forget

Herrera and Pogba were accused of not tracking for the fourth goal (Getty Images)

Phil Neville attacked the efforts of Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera during Manchester United’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho’s first trip back to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League manager proved to be an agonising 90 minutes as United conceded after only 30 seconds with Pedro scoring, before Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante added to the Red Devils’ misery.

The defeat was Mourinho’s biggest as a Premier League manager and while Neville was unimpressed with the whole team, he reserved special criticism for the central midfield pair for failing to stop Kante’s fourth goal in the rout – even though the game was lost by then.

"For the fourth goal... Herrera and Paul Pogba there, I think it's absolutely scandalous," said Neville on Match of the Day.

"The way Kante runs in behind Pogba - Herrera can see the run as well but doesn't track him - then he's one-on-one with (Chris) Smalling and it's just too easy.

"He shouldn't be allowed to run in behind Herrera.

"The mistakes they (United) made in the game, you can't legislate for that as a coach. United had opportunities to get back into the game but ultimately they weren't good enough and Chelsea were fantastic.

"People have asked what system United are playing and on Monday (the 0-0 draw with Liverpool) I thought they were fantastic.

"They looked like they had a system they were happy with, they were aggressive and they were tight defensively. Today they were anything but."

Away from the scoreline, United’s miseries were compounded by the news that Eric Bailly suffered knee ligament damage, which is bad news for Mourinho with their defence looking all over the place against the Blues.

Chris Smalling was at fault for the first two goals as Chelsea took advantage of his lax defending but Daley Blind was poor throughout, while Bailly’s replacement Marcos Rojo has struggled ever since arriving at Old Trafford.

"He (Smalling) will get the blunt of the criticism but there were other players involved,' Neville added.

"Straight from the kick-off Daley Blind isn't in line with his centre backs. He should be up, then they can play Pedro offside. Pedro makes a run in behind him and Chris Smalling should see the run. I don't think he sees him.

"As the ball comes over the top, look at the surprise in Smalling's face. Blind should track the run but it was an horrendous start to the game.

"It typified United's afternoon."