Former Man United defender Gary Neville has said that the Red Devils were “frightened to death” to go out of position and try to win the game against Man City. 

Ruben Amorim’s side drew 0-0 to rivals Man City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in what was one of the more lacklustre games of the season. Despite all the hype surrounding a Manchester derby, neither side were able to create much, and they both settled for a point.

It has left Amorim’s side 13th in the Premier League, and they missed a chance to do the league double over their City rivals this season, something that is a huge opportunity squandered considering the recent history between the two clubs.

After the game, former Man United defender Neville was very critical of both teams, saying that neither looked like they were ‘going for the win’, something that comes as a surprise in a historic derby match.

He said on Sky Sports’ Gary Neville Podcast: “I know it’s very basic to say ‘go and win the game’ with 20 minutes to go, but it’s an instruction from the manager that gives the players some freedom.

“Where’s the freedom in that football match? There’s none, and I can’t accept that, I’m getting really angry about it because, these are great players by the way, but they are frightened to death to move out of their positions or do anything that might just cause a mistake that costs them the game.

“United almost did a lap of honour. Understandably they kept a clean sheet, that’s something to be proud of and United aren’t in a great moment. But the reality is, where was the disappointment and anger that they didn’t win the game?”

Amorim disagrees with Neville’s Man United assessment

Despite the criticism from Neville and the failure to score a goal in the game, Man United boss Amorim was fairly pleased with the result in his post-match press conference.

He said: “You can see it, [same] as me, the team is more comfortable. The positions, we can make better connections, we are pushing the opponents sometimes to the last third. We are defending and blocking the talented players like Manchester City have.

“I think we blocked most of the chances; they didn’t create much. They had the ball, but without danger, so we are improving.”

United’s next game is a crucial Europa League tie against Lyon in what is their last chance to win silverware this season under Amorim.