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Gary Neville questions Antonio Conte's demeanour against Manchester United

 Gary Neville said Antonio Conte spent too much time stroking his chin
Image: Gary Neville said Antonio Conte spent too much time stroking his chin

Gary Neville says Chelsea's players didn't turn up against Manchester United - but neither did their manager.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera dealt Antonio Conte's side a 2-0 loss at Old Trafford as they saw their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to four points following Tottenham's win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Thibaut Courtois and Marcos Alonso missed the game through injury and Neville felt the enthusiasm that the Italian has shown throughout the season was missing on Super Sunday.

"Chelsea didn't turn up and where was Conte today?" he asked.

"You talk about the players, but the manager has been so active on the touchline all season and you expected him to get them going, raging up and down the touchline.

"He seemed a little subdued today, like he lacked belief. For me, Chelsea didn't turn up."

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Watch highlights of Manchester Utd 2-0 Chelsea

Conte said after the match that Manchester United showed "more motivation" than Chelsea, but Neville was not critical of his post-match interview.

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However, he insisted his demeanour during the match was a "worry" as Chelsea look to wrap up the title in the final six matches of the season.

He added: "If he was subdued in his interview after the game I think you can accept that because his team just haven't performed today. They were really poor.

"I was more worried about him being subdued during the game because he's been so active on the touchline all season. It was almost like seeing Jurgen Klopp just stood there.

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Antonio Conte said that he was at fault for Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United

"He spent most of the first half doing this [stroking his chin] today. That was the worrying thing for me; that he didn't turn up himself.

"His character, his personality and his demeanour that everyone has enjoyed all season and loved, hugging fans, running up and down the touchline and shouting at players to hurry after the ball didn't turn up today.

"He didn't turn up during the match. He was subdued and I don't know why that was."

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