Manchester United legend Gary Neville took exception to the friendly scenes that followed the final whistle after the drab derby against Manchester City ended in a stalemate
Ruben Amorim hit back at Gary Neville for accusing Manchester United and Manchester City players of a “love-in” following their drab derby stalemate. Ex-United captain Neville laid into both sides for the way they embraced each other after the final whistle, accusing them of lacking the rivalry of previous Manchester derbies.
United, currently 13th and City, fifth, played out the first goalless Manchester derby for five years, with Neville critical of the way both sides were seemingly happy with a point. Neville said: “The love-in I’m watching tells you that both teams feel happy with a 0-0.“I think the best Manchester City teams and the best Manchester United teams would be very disappointed at the end of that game.
“I mean, it looks like it’s Sunday afternoon and they’re going to go for a roast dinner now. It’s a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder, risk and courage involved in playing the game and trying to win than that.”
Amorim said he understood Neville’s point but aimed a dig at the Sky Sports pundit, accusing him of being critical of everything.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola tells Sky Sports reporter to get a new job after Man Utd drawREAD MORE: Bruno Fernandes snaps at THREE Man Utd team-mates during Man City clash as Gary Neville weighs in
“I understand everything,” said Amorim. “I understand that Gary Neville is critical about everything, so I understand that part.
“I also understand that we are in a moment where we are having the worst season in history. Manchester City won everything in the past, but this season they are struggling.
“So we are not in the best moment to give the best spectacle to every fan. When we are not fighting for the big things, of course it’s different.+
“But you have to look at it within the context of the game and I understand the critical aspect of players who played in this game in a different way, because they were fighting every time for the titles, so it’s a different context.”
City boss Pep Guardiola said: “The last few games we have been much, much better. These players gave everything today.”
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