Gary Neville erupts over 'illegal' England decision - 'We have got a massive problem'

Football news Gary Neville England

Football news: Gary Neville has doubled down on his stance that it was 'illegal' for England not to play Trent Alexander-Arnold regularly at Euro 2024 this summer

SKY
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 12/09/2024

- 11:02

The Manchester United icon has vented his fury

Gary Neville has doubled down on his stance that it was 'illegal' for England not to play Trent Alexander-Arnold regularly at Euro 2024 this summer.

And he believes it is a 'massive problem' if a player of his calibre can't be put into the side.


Back in the summer, Gareth Southgate started the European Championships by playing Alexander-Arnold in the middle of the park.

However, he was reduced to a bench role by the end of the competition - with Neville among those to be critical.

Football news Gary Neville England

Football news: Gary Neville has doubled down on his stance that it was 'illegal' for England not to play Trent Alexander-Arnold regularly at Euro 2024 this summer

SKY

Speaking after England narrowly beat Slovakia, the Sky Sports pundit said it was 'illegal' to leave Alexander-Arnold out of the starting XI.

And the Manchester United legend, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, has now doubled down on his stance.

"I said during the summer, it was something that hit me during the summer about the misuse of England players," he said.

"I said it's illegal that Trent Alexander-Arnold is not playing for England. It's illegal.

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"The thing is, if we have a player that can do what he can do and we can't get him into our team, we have got a massive problem. It's a massive problem.

"I don't know where you stand on that but I think it's illegal that he wasn't playing for England."

Neville then turned to Paul Scholes, who was also appearing on the podcast.

The Premier League icon believes Alexander-Arnold's quality on the ball is 'unreal' - yet also understands why Southgate had some reservations.

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"It's obviously because of his defensive frailties, isn't it?" he remarked.

"His quality on the ball is unreal, it's brilliant.

"But if, say, Pep [Guardiola] was manager of England, he'd play him every week.

"Because someone like Gareth, who is not as attacking, might be thinking he'll give the ball away."

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Football news England Trent Alexander-Arnold

Football news: Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled for minutes with England at Euro 2024 this summer

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Alexander-Arnold was deployed at right-back by Lee Carsley for the first time in six years as England beat Ireland 2-0 on Saturday.

He then kept his spot in the starting XI for the 2-0 victory over Finland on Tuesday night.

When it comes to his long-term future at Liverpool, however, the 25-year-old's future is up in the air.

His current deal at Anfield is due to expire next summer, with the club yet to tie him down to new terms.

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Scholes thinks new Reds boss Arne Slot may not 'like' Alexander-Arnold after watching the Dutchman fume as his side beat Manchester United 3-0 at the start of the month.

“Watching that Sunday game, every time he gave the ball away he [Slot] was shaking his head," he said.

“He kept looking away and turning around to his bench.

“He was trying these long balls, which obviously he can do brilliantly. I thought, ‘I’m not sure if he likes him’.”

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