Gary Neville has hit out at the âroboticâ nature of modern football after being left disappointed by a dour draw in the Manchester derby.
Manchester United and Manchester City shared a dull 0-0 at Old Trafford in a game of reasonably few chances and little of the intensity that usually accompanies derby day.
A share of the points did neither particular good, with Pep Guardiolaâs side unable to capitalise on dropped points for fourth-placed Chelsea and the hosts still languishing in 13th.
Both sides seemed content enough at the full-time whistle, though, as players from both teams exchanged pleasantries after the stalemate.
That only further annoyed Neville, who apologised for his âdrabâ commentary on Sky Sports as he lamented both the encounter in isolation and the development of football he believes it reflects.
âI donât think there was one player who walked off that pitch disappointed about drawing 0-0, from either side,â Neville said. âThey all walked off sort of thinking, âWeâre OK here, got away without making a mistakeâ. It was that type of game.
âIt 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.
âI think the congratulations and love-in that Iâm watching says both teams are happy with a 0-0.
âThe best Man City and Man United teams would be very disappointed with the way theyâve approached the end of that game. It looks like itâs Sunday afternoon and theyâre going to go for a roast dinner together now. Theyâre micromanaged to an inch of their lives, so robotic, and itâs symptomatic of a lot of games that weâre watching nowadays.
âIâm disappointed. Itâs a Manchester derby. It should have more blood, thunder, and risk and courage involved in playing the game and winning the game than that.â
Manchester United next face Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.