SHUT UP AND PLAY

Outspoken defender Neville blasted England fans for jeering Steve McClaren's flops, claiming his club's fans give unwavering support. In fact Neville was in a bust-up with supporters at Old Trafford late last season when he angrily confronted them following United's draw with Middlesbrough.

Neville's broadside got little support from his England team-mates.

Steven Gerrard said:

“The fans paid their money and came wanting to see goals. They wanted us to wipe the Spanish away. So it was frustrating from the fans' point of view.”

Michael Carrick said:

“The supporters pay their money and they want to see a winning team. That was not the case and they've got a right to their opinions.”

Stuart Pearce, now Under-21 manager, said:

“We are all in it together. I'd never criticise any fan for coming and venting frustration if they see a performance they are disappointed with.”

Jim White in the Telegraph:

It was past 11pm, long after the final whistle had sounded on England's friendly with Spain, and the queue outside Old Trafford tram station still snaked halfway back to the stadium.

There was, however, some consolation to be had for those waiting for a ride. At least the frustrating hour or so standing around doing nothing in the bitter February air was considerably more entertaining than the 90 minutes of football they had just witnessed.

Immediately after the game, Gary Neville was somewhat shirty that the home crowd had booed in the wake of the defeat to a Spanish team recently beaten by Northern Ireland.

He said Manchester United followers would never have reacted in the same way. He is probably right. Faced with a performance as hapless, hopeless and half-witted as this from their club, you imagine even the most supine of prawn sandwich munchers would have laid waste to the stadium.

Neville seemed to be suggesting that England's fans should show more understanding for the team's problems. It was, after all, just a friendly using an experimental side. In which case it should have been played behind closed doors, without conning more than 50,000 customers out of their cash with the empty promise of fulfilment.

Frankly, after paying more than £50 for the opportunity to watch one shot on target all night, a few frustrated catcalls seemed the mildest of retribution.