During the debut episode of Monday Night Football for the new Premier League season, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher found themselves in a tense and uncomfortable exchange. This happened when Carragher, the former Liverpool player, couldn’t help but laugh at Neville’s choice for the ‘manager to watch’ this season.

After observing the opening weekend’s matches, in which Liverpool triumphed 4-2 over Bournemouth, Manchester City dominated Wolves with a 4-0 victory, and Arsenal narrowly defeated Manchester United 1-0, the pair shared their predictions on how the season might progress on their Sky Sports show.

While Carragher predicted that Liverpool would maintain their championship position under the guidance of Arne Slot, Neville expressed belief that Arsenal would finally seize the top spot after finishing as runners-up for the past three seasons.

‘Why you laughing, it’s disrespect,’ Neville said as Carragher was chuckling.

In a playful jab, Carragher remarked, ‘You always choose the Man United manager every season,’ as he gestured towards the board displaying their selections. ‘Last year, you picked three managers, and one of them was (Erik) ten Hag.’

Neville defended his choice by saying, ‘It’s disrespectful to laugh. Last year, my reason was similar. I picked ten Hag because I anticipated that a poor start would put him under immense pressure. Similarly, with Ruben Amorim – if he begins poorly and they’re languishing in 13th or 14th place by October or November, he will face significant scrutiny.’

‘He’s the Manchester United manager, he has to deliver in these first few months of the season. And I think he will outperform.’

Carragher, nodding to Neville’s prediction that Man United will finish in a Champions League place, interrupted: ‘Outperforming what? You’ve got them to finish fourth.’

‘Exactly,’ Neville replied. ‘I know you’re not sure about him and you wrote your article the other day saying that you think he’s not that good…’

The former United star’s remark prompted a quick back and forth which saw the two pundits talk over each other, with Carragher immediately questioning, ‘Did I? You’ll have to read it.’

Neville then asked: ‘Well, what was your article about?’

‘It was about the two managers, (Arsenal boss Mikel) Arteta and Amorim. Amorim would be delighted if he was in Arteta’s position in three or four years.’

The tetchy squabble ended Monday Night Football’s predictions section, with Carragher picking Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner as his ‘manager to watch’.

The pair both acknowledged that Man City were also one of three contenders to be crowned champions, along with Arsenal and Liverpool.

‘I couldn’t separate them, so I have gone with the team I have gone with for the past three years, feeling that they are reliable, solid and consistent, which I think is important,’ Neville said of his Arsenal prediction.

‘They are consistently getting high points totals and finishing second to great teams, I think they have improved themselves, I think [Viktor] Gyokeres will do well for Arsenal.

‘I think they have the right material at the front of the pitch and I think Gyokeres will.’

Neville suggested Man United’s league form will benefit from not being in European competition this season, which he believes could give them the edge over the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham.

‘Last season I remembering watching Chelsea and no-one had them, but I thought I saw something when they played Man City and thought “that’s a good team”.

‘When I watched them yesterday I thought the performance was very good.

‘I think they will get a goalkeeper and with those players up front, with the free weeks they have got with no Champions League or Europa League, I think Man United will surprise some people.

‘Maybe it is a little bit of bias in who I support, I am not sure Chelsea will find it as easy with the World Club Cup, European games and I think Man United will sneak in’.

Carragher, however, backed Chelsea to complete the top four and secure qualification to the Champions League.

Both pundits agreed Newcastle would finish in the top six, with Carragher backing them to finish fifth ahead of Tottenham, while Neville placed the Magpies sixth behind Chelsea.

The Liverpool legend aimed another jibe at his fellow pundit by labelling Man United as a ‘surprise’ European contender, while Neville – who remains banned from the City Ground – joked he might be allowed back in after naming Nottingham Forest as his pick.