Manchester United captain Gary Neville says Italy's flops can have no complaints over the criticism coming their way.

Neville, in his column for the Sunday Times of Malta, wrote: "Four years is a long time before the next World Cup and a lot can happen. Italy won the World Cup four years ago, England haven't won a World Cup for 44 years, so Italy's exit isn't the end of the world - these things happen.

"Having said that, criticism of the Italian team at home is understandable. If England had gone out in the first round they would have faced a whole load of criticism. Italy are probably getting hammered at home, but if you play for one of the top clubs in Europe and represent your country then you will get criticised if you don't perform - you're there to face it.

"Nevertheless, Italy have players who have been there before and who know that Italy's time will come again. Four years ago they were the heroes, now they're the villains - that's football."