Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have butted heads in a heated manager debate surrounding Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Sky Sports pundits sat side by side on the gantry at Old Trafford on Sunday during commentary duties, with Carragher’s former Reds side coming out on top against their fiercest rivals, winning 3-0.

After the game, the pair discussed the fortunes of both Liverpool and United, with Neville suggesting that under-fire United boss Erik ten Hag needed time in the club’s new structure.

The incident started out with Neville speaking about Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool, though later moved onto Ten Hag and his efforts so far in his time with United.

‘I think there was some sentiment after the [FA Cup] final,’ Neville said of the Dutchman. ‘The fans wanted Ten Hag to be kept on and backed.

‘They have seen enough managers sacked over the years. I think they sounded out Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel around that time, but there was a bit of a negative reaction from fans.

‘There is no doubt they were having a flirt around the market and seeing what they could do. I think if there was an unbelievable manager that could improve United 100 per cent, beyond what Ten Hag could, they would have made a change. Liverpool had six months to replace Jurgen Klopp and still found it challenging to get their top targets.’

Carragher interrupted, however, to stick up for Slot, who has enjoyed an almost perfect start to life as Liverpool manager.

The 45-year-old signed on as the new Anfield boss in the summer, replacing Klopp, and has won his first three Premier League matches without conceding a goal, getting one up on his countryman Ten Hag in the process.

‘Where are you getting it from that Arne Slot wasn’t Liverpool’s top target?’ Carragher asked, much to Neville’s surprise, who made it clear that he felt it was obvious that Xabi Alonso would have been Liverpool’s preferred option.

‘I am sure they did ask about Alonso and were told straight away that he was staying at Bayer Leverkusen,’ Carragher replied. ‘You’re saying Liverpool had this big search, how do we know exactly what went on behind the scenes at Liverpool? Why didn’t Man United employ Arne Slot then?’

That led to Neville again defending Ten Hag, who many felt was fortunate to receive the backing of the United hierarchy in the summer.

‘I think they’d have looked at him, but thought, “Can we really get rid of a guy who has won two trophies in two years, who hasn’t been backed by the proper structure, to bring another Dutch manager in?”‘ he responded.

Carragher criticised the United manager, however, replying: ‘What do you mean without a proper structure? He’s gone out and brought in everyone he wanted.’

The former defender was likely pointing to some of the more prominent arrivals during Ten Hag’s tenure as manager, such as Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana and Antony, with all three playing under him at Ajax.

The players have had mixed success, with some being regulars and others struggling for minutes.

In the summer, however, new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe restructured the backroom set up at United, bringing in Dan Ashworth as sporting director and Omar Berrada as CEO.

Ten Hag has the full backing of the United hierarchy, Berrada has insisted, claiming that he will ‘support him in every way I possibly can… to allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and the match tactical plan to deliver success for Manchester United.’

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher were speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.