Gary Neville Claims Ozil “Couldn’t Have Played” In Frantic Derby Win

Gary Neville Believes Mesut Ozil couldn’t have helped us in our 4-2 win against Spurs…

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Unai Emery was right to leave Mesut Ozil out of the team that dismantled Spurs, the pundit said on his Sky Sports Podcast.

The official line given by the club is that Ozil was suffering with ‘back spasm’, but it’s a line many are having a hard time grasping that explanation for various reasons.

Ozil was part of the squad that travelled to Bournemouth last week, though Emery named him as one of the substitutes and didn’t bring him on – despite us needing a goal in the second half.

Also, there was very little talk of a potential knock heading into the match during the week, despite the fact that the boss went in front of the media on Thursday after our 3-0 win in Kiev.

The German star has been given very subtle warnings by Emery regarding his work rate and positional discipline in a team that’s covering more miles than we did under Arsene Wenger last campaign.

And, if the rumours are to be believed and Ozil was dropped, Neville can understand the Spaniard’s thinking.

“Mesut Ozil couldn’t have played in that game,” the ex-Valencia head coach said.

“That’s said with great respect, as he can play in World Cup finals and win them, but Emery could not have played Ozil with the way he wanted to win that game. That’s just the harsh truth.

“Ozil is world class on the ball with the way he receives the ball, his weight of pass and his choice of pass in the final third but what Emery wants to establish at this club is a cultural change and a mentality shift.

“Ozil doesn’t fit the bill for that shift, unfortunately. That’s being harsh,” he added.

It was always going to come to this. Ozil is a sensational footballer, but his profile of player is becoming rather extinct in football.

Top clubs can no longer afford to carry a silky No.10 who only comes alive when his team’s in possession of the ball.

If your name isn’t Lionel Messi and you’re not subsiding the lack of work rate by providing 50 goals per season, it’s not going to happen.