- Neville tore into City and United after they played out a drab 0-0 on Sunday
- Amorim had initially hit back but has since had time to reflect on what was said
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Ruben Amrorim has given his verdict on Gary Neville’s blasting of a drab Manchester derby on Sunday.
Manchester City and United played out what has been regarded as one of the worst games of the season as they drew 0-0 at Old Trafford – a result that did neither team’s season any favours.
After the game, former United defender Neville tore into the game itself, saying on Sky Sports commentary: ‘They’re micromanaged within an inch of their lives – so robotic, that game – and quite symptomatic, actually, of a lot of games that we’re watching nowadays. It’s not good enough. I feel disappointed.
‘It’s a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder, and risk, and courage involved in playing the game and trying to win the game than that.’
Amorim had previously said Neville was ‘critical of everything’ in response to the comments made by the ex-right back, but has now had time to reflect.
And the Portuguese was, in fact in agreement. Speaking to Sky Sports, he revealed he understood where Neville was coming from in terms of his criticism.
Ruben Amorim has responded to Gary Neville’s comments about the drab Manchester derby
Neville had branded the game ‘robotic’, and Amorim said he ‘is critical of everything’
The two Manchester sides left Neville disappointed in their 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday
Amorim said: ‘In this game, they are seeing the games and in our moment, with the season that we are doing, we have to accept it and this is quite fair.
‘Sometimes at the end of the game, you don’t like it because you are trying really hard to change things and they are talking about your players.
‘But then, one day later, you can understand. It’s fair and I understand what he’s saying.’
United are currently 13th in the Premier League table, picking up six wins in 20 matches under Amorim in the top flight. They are looking to qualify for the Champions League through winning the Europa League.
‘I understand that Gary Neville is critical about everything,’ Amorim had said in the immediate aftermath of the derby. ‘I understand that we are having the worst season in history.
‘Manchester City won everything in the past, but this season they are struggling. So we are not in the best of moments to give the best spectacle to fans. We are not fighting for the big things, it’s different.
‘I understand the critical aspect of the players who played in this game in a different way because they were fighting every time for the titles. It’s a different context.’
