Manchester United earned a point from their clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, but that didn't stop Gary Neville and Roy Keane from sharpening their knives. The former players, who now both work as analysts, are in agreement: it's not good enough.
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Manchester United and Manchester City played out a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon in what was expected to be a fiercely contested Manchester derby.
However, the match instead served as a frustrating example of the ongoing struggles faced by both teams, particularly Manchester United, who have been unable to consistently deliver quality performances under manager Rúben Amorim. Despite securing a point against their city rivals, the Red Devils’ approach and overall display left much to be desired, prompting harsh criticism from pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
The legendary Manchester United duo, both working as analysts, did not hold back in their post-match assessments. Neville, who has become renowned for his candid and insightful analysis on Sky Sports, was quick to highlight the lack of intensity and creativity in United’s play. His frustration was palpable as he described the match as a mundane, uninspiring affair.
“It felt like it was Sunday afternoon, as if they were sitting down for a nice Sunday dinner,” Neville remarked, clearly unimpressed with the effort and energy displayed by the team. “It was so robotic, truly indicative of how many matches are played in modern football. There’s no urgency, no hunger, just mechanical, predictable football that isn’t going to win you games of this magnitude.”
Neville’s concern went beyond just the performance on the day; he sees the match as part of a broader trend of stagnation within the club. He pointed out that despite having talented players within their ranks, Manchester United seems incapable of playing with the kind of passion and creativity that defined their glory years. According to Neville, the club’s current style of play is a far cry from the dynamic, high-tempo approach that used to characterize Manchester United during their most successful periods.
The former right-back continued his critique by emphasizing the lack of intensity and passion from the players. “It’s just not good enough. I wanted to see blood, thunder, and risk in the Manchester derby. This is supposed to be one of the biggest fixtures of the season, but the way United approached it was just flat. They were more focused on not losing than trying to win.”
Roy Keane, known for his no-nonsense approach both as a player and as a pundit, echoed Neville’s sentiments with his trademark bluntness. “It’s not good enough,” Keane stated with evident frustration. “We want to see action and goals. Manchester United now has to compete with clubs like Brentford, Fulham, and Wolves. This team is better than those clubs, isn’t it? At least it should be.”
Keane’s criticism was rooted in his belief that Manchester United’s standards have fallen significantly in recent years. While the former captain acknowledged the difficulties the club is currently facing, he made it clear that he expects much more from a team of United’s stature. His comments were also a reflection of the broader discontent shared by many Manchester United supporters, who feel that the club has lost its identity and ambition.
Despite the negativity surrounding the performance, Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim attempted to put a positive spin on the result. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Amorim was quick to defend his team and acknowledged the ongoing challenges the club is facing. He also took the opportunity to respond directly to Neville’s comments.
“I understand that Neville criticizes everything,” Amorim said, showing a degree of frustration with the constant scrutiny. “But we are going through the worst season the club has ever experienced. We are not at a stage where we can play the most spectacular football. Right now, the focus is on stability, rebuilding confidence, and trying to achieve results within our limitations.”
Amorim’s pragmatism reflects the reality of Manchester United’s current situation. Under his management, the club has struggled to find consistency, particularly in front of goal. The goalless draw against Manchester City marks the eighth time in the Premier League that United has failed to score since Amorim took charge. This alarming statistic highlights the attacking inefficiency that has plagued the team throughout the season.
In terms of goal-scoring struggles, only Leicester City has a worse record during the same period, with The Foxes failing to score twelve times. Manchester United’s inability to find the back of the net on a regular basis has raised questions about Amorim’s tactical approach and his capacity to inspire attacking creativity.
Additionally, the club’s current position in the league table is far from where fans and pundits expected them to be. With only a handful of games remaining in the season, the pressure on Amorim to turn things around is intensifying. Supporters are growing increasingly impatient with the lack of progress, and there is a genuine concern that the club could miss out on European qualification altogether.
As the season progresses, it is becoming clear that Manchester United’s issues run deeper than just tactical deficiencies. Confidence within the squad appears low, and there is a lack of cohesion that has been evident throughout the campaign. Despite having talented individuals, the team has often appeared disjointed and devoid of a clear game plan.
Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been marred by inconsistency, and while he has occasionally managed to deliver positive results, these have been overshadowed by frequent setbacks. His pragmatic approach may be aimed at bringing stability to the club, but many are beginning to question whether he is the right man to lead United back to their former glory.
The frustration expressed by Neville and Keane is shared by many, as the expectations surrounding Manchester United remain high despite the ongoing struggles. As Amorim continues to try and find the right formula, the criticism is likely to intensify if results do not improve soon.
In the aftermath of the derby, the focus will undoubtedly be on whether Manchester United can bounce back and show the kind of character and quality expected of them. For now, however, the club remains mired in a season of mediocrity, with little sign of a quick resolution to their many problems.
Updated: 11:12, 6 Apr 2025
