When it comes to Manchester derbies, fans expect fireworks—intensity, passion, and football that gets the blood pumping.
But what unfolded during this 196th Manchester derby was far from that, leaving supporters more excited about their protest than the actual game.
The real show of emotion came from Manchester United’s fans, who staged a sit-in after the match to voice their frustrations with how the club is being run.
But, unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about the performance on the pitch.
The Lackluster Performance of Both Teams
For 90 minutes, the two teams seemed more interested in shadow-boxing than playing football.
City struggled to get going, and United, despite having opportunities, were simply not good enough to take advantage.
It was a match that lacked the usual energy and excitement that fans have come to expect from these two fierce rivals.
At the end of it all, both sides seemed content with a 0-0 draw, exchanging smiles and hugs as if they’d just shared a pleasant Sunday afternoon.
Gary Neville’s Disappointment
Gary Neville, never one to hold back, expressed his disappointment with the game, calling it “not good enough” for a Manchester derby. Watching the match, he felt that both teams lacked the courage and risk-taking necessary to make the game truly memorable.
“The best Manchester City teams and the best Manchester United teams would be very disappointed at the end of that game,” he said.
In his view, the match lacked the “blood, thunder, risk, and courage” expected from such a high-stakes fixture.
Ruben Amorim Responds to Criticism
United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, was quick to respond to Neville’s critique.
He smiled when asked about Neville’s comments and defended his team, pointing out that both sides are currently struggling.
Amorim acknowledged the team’s poor performance but emphasized that given the current state of the season, they weren’t exactly in the best position to deliver a thrilling spectacle.
His words reflected a recognition of the challenges facing both Manchester United and City at the moment.
The Soft Confrontations of the Match
The few moments of “intensity” in the match were hardly enough to spark any real excitement.
A mild altercation in the 55th minute—when Manuel Ugarte fouled Bernardo Silva and was then tripped by Ruben Dias—summed up the game’s lack of physicality.
The confrontation was tame, with Silva’s shove barely making an impact.
Old Trafford, which had witnessed some of the most thrilling moments in football history, had to settle for a tame affair.
A Lack of Quality Football
As for the football itself, it began with some promise. Alejandro Garnacho showed early intent, galloping through and being fouled by Dias in the first 40 seconds, but from there, it was all downhill.
The match unfolded in such a manner that, by the final whistle, the only real excitement was coming from the fans protesting outside, not the players on the field.
City’s Poor Display and United’s Missed Opportunity
City, despite their recent successes, were poor throughout the game.
United had a golden opportunity to defeat a Pep Guardiola side, but their inability to capitalize on it highlighted the struggles of the team.
This was a chance to make a statement, but United simply didn’t rise to the occasion.
Looking Ahead: The Europa League Awaits
One of the few positives for United was the fact that this match served as a warm-up for their upcoming Europa League quarter-final clash in Lyon.
With important games on the horizon, United needs to step up their intensity and focus if they hope to salvage something from this disappointing season.
The return of Luke Shaw to the bench and the start of Harry Maguire after an injury layoff provided some hope, but the lack of intensity in this derby is a concern going into Thursday’s Europa League match.
A Turning Point for United’s Season
If United carries this same lack of intensity into their next match, their hopes for a trophy and a place in next season’s Champions League could quickly vanish.
It’s clear that the team has a lot of work to do, and the clock is ticking.
