Gary Neville apologised for his “boring” co-commentary of the Manchester derby as he launched a withering attack on the “love in” between rival players who “looked like they’re going for a roast”.
Captains Kevin De Bruyne – who was appearing in his final Manchester derby ahead of his City departure this summer – and Bruno Fernandes were among players to laugh and hug amid cordial scenes immediately after the drab 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
With Eric Cantona among United greats watching in the stands, Neville and Roy Keane turned on players for failing to follow standards set by predecessors
Neville was so dismayed by the performance that he apologised for his co-commentary being so “drab”, blaming the players for being “micromanaged to within an inch of their lives”.
"That's not a Premier League game of football."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 6, 2025
Gary Neville explains why he's disappointed after the Manchester derby. pic.twitter.com/6PZQpa6s9F
He said: “I don’t think there was one player who walked off that pitch disappointed about drawing 0-0, from either side. They all walked off sort of thinking, ‘We’re OK here, got away without making a mistake’. It was that type of game.
“It was really disappointing. I apologise for my co-commentary actually, I think I let it get to me. I was boring on there as well. That was drab as well.
The former right-back was particularly irked when after the full-time whistle the players embraced warmly. “I think the congratulations and love-in that I’m watching says both teams are happy with a 0-0,” he said on Sky Sports coverage.
“The best Man City and Man United teams would be very disappointed with the way they’ve approached the end of that game. It looks like it’s Sunday afternoon and they’re going to go for a roast dinner together now. They’re micromanaged to an inch of their lives, so robotic and it’s symptomatic of a lot of games that we’re watching nowadays.
“I’m disappointed, it’s a Manchester derby, it should have more blood, thunder, and risk and courage involved in playing the game and winning the game than that.”
An uninspiring goalless draw underlined the need for change at both clubs this summer. City did threaten twice through Omar Marmoush but the Egypt forward could not beat United goalkeeper Andre Onana on either occasion.
Neville later added that the casual nature of United’s play and general lack of fight was indicative of a “disease in the game”.
“It’s becoming an illness in the game,” Neville added, suggesting teams were failing to follow a prototype set by Pep Guardiola’s teams. He singled out one moment where goalkeeper Onana had casually rolled his ...
