Dull Manchester Derby Ends 0-0, Players Criticised For Friendly Gestures

By: Gyang Dakwo

Manchester United and Manchester City players have come under fire after exchanging hugs and handshakes following a goalless Premier League derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The match, which many fans and pundits found forgettable, ended with both teams failing to impress. City missed a chance to overtake Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot and stayed fifth in the table. United continued their poor run and remain in 13th place.

Former United captain Gary Neville did not hold back in his post-match comments.

“I think the congratulations and love-in that I am watching says both teams are happy with a 0-0,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
“The best Man City and Man United teams would be very disappointed with the way they have approached the end of that game.
It looks like it is Sunday afternoon and they are going to go for a roast dinner together now.”

Another former United player, Roy Keane, shared similar views.

“They get interviewed after as if a draw is not too bad,” Keane said. “A draw does not get you anywhere fast. This is not enough, this is not good enough.”

United manager Ruben Amorim responded calmly to the criticism.

“I understand that Gary Neville is critical about everything,” he said with a smile. “And then I understand that in the moment we are doing the worst Manchester United season in history. Manchester City, who won everything in the past, this season are struggling. So we are not in the best moments to give the best spectacle to every fan.”

The atmosphere was not all friendly, though. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was upset about chants from United fans targeting his player Phil Foden.

“A lack of class, but it is not United, it is the people,” Guardiola said. “We are so exposed, people who are now on the screen in world football – managers, owners and football players, especially.
And, honestly, I do not understand the mind of people involving the name of Phil’s mum in that. So it is a lack of integrity, a lack of class and they should be ashamed. But it is what it is, so it is happening everywhere, I would say, not just in UK.”