Gary Neville slams Marcus Rashford for 'shirking' a header during Manchester United's defeat by Chelsea: 'Never had Rashford down as someone who would shirk it'

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Gary Neville criticised Marcus Rashford for 'shirking' a header during commentary as Manchester United suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of Chelsea on Sunday.

Antonio Conte's Chelsea condemned Jose Mourinho to another painful return to the Blues as he watched his United side lose for the third consecutive time at the Bridge since taking charge 2016, courtesy of Alvaro Morata's second-half header.  

Marcus Rashford claimed United's best chances, with his first coming early on as he headed over the bar from close range with an early header glazed over the bar from close range.  

Gary Neville criticises Marcus Rashford for closing his eyes as he rises for a header

During Sky Sports commentary though, Gary Neville criticised the striker for closing his eyes under the pressure of Belgian keeper.  

'Oh Marcus,' Neville said in disappointment. 'you've closed your eyes, because you've thought the keeper is coming to hit you. If he just concentrates, doesn't worry about the goalkeeper, he scores.'

The young lion was confronted by the overwhelming figure of Thibaut Courtois, who did enough to put the 19-year-old off, despite being unmarked at the back post.

'Never would have had Marcus Rashford down as someone who would shirk it or close his eyes thinking he would get a knock,' Neville added.

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United were beaten for third time at Stamford Bridge 

Confronted by Thibaut Courtois, Rashford heads over despite being unmarked

Neville criticised the striker during commentary for 'shirking it' at Stamford Bridge

Rashford, who came agonisingly close to the equaliser at Stamford Bridge when his strike from the edge of the box glazed wide, would claim the best chances with only Marouane Fellaini forcing Courtois into a game-saving stop in added time. 

But while Rashford was criticised for closing his eyes, the one thing every aspiring footballer is taught before he even gets a sniff at academy football, Jamie Carragher defended the England youngster claiming many would have done the same.

His chance came before Alvaro Morata headed Chelsea into the lead

Meanwhile Jamie Carragher disagreed claiming Courtois' presence would scare most strikers

'We had Peter Schmeichel on Monday Night Football, he said the best in the Premier League at coming for crosses now is Courtois,' Carragher said at half time on Sky Sports. 

'When he comes, a man of that size and frame, centre forwards do duck out of it and that's exactly what Rashford does. He's more worried about the man, the collision.

'Gary said he didn't expect Rashford to be that type of lad, but if you see that man coming, six foot four, he's bottled it but there are plenty of centre forwards that would do the same in that position.' 

Meanwhile, Mourinho's side lost ground in the title race after Manchester City - now eight points clear - dismissed Arsenal 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium in the earlier game, while Tottenham drew level on points with United after a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.