Gary Neville has told Manchester United that the 'absolutely desperate' situation at Old Trafford 'just can't go on' after drawing 4-4 at home against Aston Villa

Gary Neville was at a loss for words after Manchester United drew 4-4 against Aston Villa before describing the situation at Old Trafford as 'absolutely desperate' and one that cannot go on.

United twice came from two goals down to equalise, with Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee scoring in added time to earn a point. That ended a run of back-to-back Premier League defeats, but still leaves them in the relegation zone.

With a fortnight until their next match due to the international break, the focus is again on Michael Carrick. Neville, though, has not explicitly called for his head, instead pointing his finger at the owners.

Speaking over NBC's television coverage of the match following the full-time whistle, he said: "I don't know what to say, really." Neville then turned his ire on the trend of players and staff walking around after matches applauding the fans

"I played for Manchester United 602 times. And I always appreciated the fans at the end of the game.

"But this pattern of basically them walking around the pitch and a lap of honour after defeats at home against Bournemouth, a 4-4 at home against Aston Villa, it's almost painful to watch; it's like they're almost causing themselves emotional damage.

"And this just can't go on, can it? It's absolutely desperate. Michael will be proud of them; the fans are singing his name because they love him, but this is a really sorry situation."

Neville added: "The problem right now is that the ownership and leadership within the club are inept; they don't know what to do, they're stuck, and there is a paralysis of the fact that they want Michael Carrick to succeed - I want him to succeed - but you've got to make big decisions."

Focusing on Carrick, he continued: "Sacking the manager is not going to make any (difference).

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"I don't want to see Michael Carrick get sacked, but this just cannot go on. Manchester United, I think, are second or third-bottom in the league after 10 games.

"... Michael will potentially become a victim of it, or maybe he won't, but Michael Carrick isn't the problem. I mean, he may be the person who obviously suffers in the short term, but then someone else will come in, and the same will happen again ... "

"Michael could leave, Michael might stay. We don't know, the ownership haven't got a clue what to do; they haven't got a clue what to do."

United have not yet made a firm decision on Carrick's future and are set to discuss the next steps over the international break. Mauricio Pochettino, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are among several names linked with the job.