Gary Neville has criticised Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Casemiro for putting the team under pressure during the side’s 2-1 win against Luton Town.

United ran out victors courtesy of an early brace by Rasmus Hojlund.

Casemiro picked up a booking for a first-half foul on Luton’s Amari’i Bell

The Brazilian was lucky to have not received a red card for a bad challenge on Ross Barkley

Erik ten Hag reckons Casemiro gets a rough ride from referees

The situation led to Maguire’s yellow card at the end of the first half

Carlton Morris halved the deficit for the Hatters but Erik ten Hag’s men held on to secure all three points at Kenilworth Road.

Luton put United under pressure for large parts of the game and especially in the opening 45 minutes. This was partly down to Maguire and Casemiro who both produced some moments of madness that placed them in direct risk of getting second yellow cards.

Alive to the risk of going a man or two men down, Ten Hag elected to substitute both experienced stars at half-time. He replaced Casemiro and Maguire with Scott McTominay and Jonny Evans respectively.

After the final whistle, Gary Neville spoke to Sky Sports (via The Express) and gave his thoughts on United’s performance.

The club legend said, “I think United deserved to win. I think the second-half performance was probably better and more measured than the first half. The first 10 minutes were fantastic but I thought for 30 minutes, Luton could’ve scored two or three goals themselves. In the second half Luton’s last part of the game in the final third let them down.”

“But I thought United defended pretty well, [Jonny] Evans and [Raphael] Varane positioned themselves well on those crosses. Obviously, the four one-on-ones – [Alejandro] Garnacho had one, Hojlund had one and I think Bruno Fernandes had two big chances.”

“Between those four, they should have taken at least one of them. I thought they were professional in the second half, a lot better, more measured.”

Neville added, “First half they lost their discipline. Maguire and Casemiro had to be hooked at half time, they were all over the place at times. You think, how can they go from here (high up) to there (low down) within halves of games?”

“That’s what they are – they’re inconsistent. Ten Hag will be a lot happier with the second-half performance even though they didn’t score.”

Ten Hag revealed in his post-match interview that he subbed Casemiro due to what he believes is unfair treatment from referees

He said: “Even when he is not touching opponents he gets booked.

“Often the first moment of the game.

“I think it’s crazy and it was so unfair that first booking.

“That second could have been so that’s why I took him off.

“He touches an opponent and he gets booked.”

Fortunately for United, Casemiro and Maguire’s errors didn’t come at too great a cost.

The Red Devils’ next match is at Old Trafford on Saturday against Fulham.