Neville tears into Pep for only naming six substitutes

Joe Williams

Gary Neville thinks Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was wrong not to name a youngster on the bench to face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Spaniard only named six substitutes for their clash against Sean Dyche’s men after claiming they don’t have any more players to fill their bench.

David Silva, Fabien Delph, John Stones, Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy are all missing for the Citizens but Neville thinks Guardiola should have brought along the most-deserving youth player.

“I think it’s a joke if you are a youth team manager,” said Neville. “Ring him up and ask him which kid deserves that boost.

“Forget the second team – bring one. Bring a kid to travel with team, help the kitman, man give someone a boost.

“If you are working at the academy must think I’m wasting my time. Six players on the bench…it’s a protest.

“He’s an incredible manager but things like this let you down. He doesn’t have to bring a kid off the bench.

“He can just sit there get the experience and the feeling.”

Guardiola explained the decision to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, he said: “We don’t have any more players, that is thee reason why. We have one goalkeeper and five players.

“We could take one from second team but they played a game yesterday.

“Aymeric made an impressive debut following his club-record move from Athletic Bilbao in the January transfer window, but the France international was left on the bench with Vincent Kompany restored to the first team.

“We played two-and-a-half days ago. We felt two games in a row would be difficult hasn’t had one serious training sessions with us. When Vinny is fit he is a big player for us.”