Man City manager Pep Guardiola slammed by Gary Neville for naming just six subs against Burnley
Etihad boss claimed his squad has been depleted too badly due to injuries to name a full bench
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GARY NEVILLE branded Pep Guardiola an “absolute joke” for naming just six subs in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley.
Manchester City boss Pep claimed he “didn’t have any players” to complete the seven-man bench.
But former Manchester United skipper Neville blasted the decision, insisting the sub snub was an insult to his Etihad coaches.
The Sky Sports pundit raged: “I was really hoping he wasn’t going to give the answer he did.
“It’s a joke, an absolute joke. If you are a youth team manager at Manchester City, ring him up. Bring a kid, travel with the team, help the kitman, put him on the bench, have the experience of being in a league game and give someone a boost.
“If you are an academy or reserve-team manager at City, you must think ‘I am wasting my time’.
“Forget the fact of how much money they’ve spent, six players on the bench is like a protest.
“I’m not sure why he is peddling this theme.”
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Neville kicked off after Pep declared: “We didn’t have any players, they are injured.
“I’d like to have 18 players and I could have called on one of the second team but they played yesterday against Swansea.
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“We decided not to bring someone who played last night because they wouldn’t have played.”
City have a huge crock list with Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, John Stones, Fabian Delph, David Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Phil Foden all out.
Neville added: “Pep’s an incredible manager, the work he has done with this team is unbelievable.
“But things like that let you down.
“The opportunity has been missed again to promote the wonderful youth team City have got.
“It’s poor to not bring a young player, really poor. Just fill your bench.”
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard added: “He’s denied a young kid the opportunity of a lifetime.
“There is no excuse for anyone to name six subs in a Premier League game.”