Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim did not mince words following his team’s uninspiring 0-0 draw against rivals Manchester City in the latest installment of the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Portuguese tactician, reflecting on a match that failed to ignite the passion typically associated with this storied fixture, declared that his squad needs to “improve in every aspect” if they are to climb out of their current malaise and reclaim their status among the Premier League elite.
The game, which unfolded under glorious spring weather, was a far cry from the high-octane clashes fans have come to expect from this rivalry. Both sides struggled to create meaningful chances, with United managing 13 shots but only two on target, while City’s attack, hampered by the absence of Erling Haaland, lacked its usual cutting edge despite Kevin De Bruyne’s presence in what was his final Manchester Derby before his announced departure from the club this summer. The result left United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League standings with 38 points from 31 matches, while City remain in fifth, 21 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Amorim acknowledged the tactical approach his team adopted—a low block designed to exploit transitions—but admitted it wasn’t enough to secure victory. “We had some chances to win the game. We tried to use the space in transitions, defending in a low block, but we had our chances,” he said. “We pushed City into their half, we were closer to a goal, but we can accept a draw.” However, he quickly pivoted to a broader critique of his squad’s performance, stating, “We have so many aspects to improve. Everywhere we need to improve in every aspect: build-up, transition, decisions in the final third.”
The match encapsulated the struggles of both Manchester clubs this season. For United, it was another chapter in what threatens to be their worst-ever Premier League campaign, with just four wins in their last 12 games across all competitions and no back-to-back league victories to their name. Amorim, who took charge in November, has overseen a side that remains heavily reliant on counterattacks rather than sustained possession—a stark contrast to the attacking philosophy he instilled during his successful tenure at Sporting CP. “We are still a team that plays on transition,” he noted. “We need to spend more time in the final third to have more opportunities.”
Despite the dour display, Amorim pointed to glimmers of progress, particularly in United’s defensive solidity. “I think we are improving how we defend, we are more compact, we gave them less space than the last games,” he told the official broadcasters. Substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount nearly snatched a late winner, with Zirkzee’s shot being clawed away by City goalkeeper Ederson and Mount’s follow-up blocked by Rico Lewis, offering a fleeting hint of what might be possible with sharper finishing.
The lack of intensity drew sharp criticism from pundits and former United stars alike. Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, lamented the “friendly” atmosphere and the cautious play, suggesting it reflected a broader trend in modern football where teams prioritize shape over risk. “It’s the Manchester Derby—it should have more blood, thunder, risk, and courage,” Neville remarked, later clashing with Amorim over the post-match demeanor of the players. Roy Keane, meanwhile, dismissed Amorim’s claims of progress, bluntly stating, “They were neat and tidy, but they were never going to score.”
Amorim, however, offered a pragmatic defense of his approach, acknowledging the context of United’s current standing. “I’m not naive or crazy. I can see the moment we are in, I can look at the opponents and understand there is a big gap,” he said. He also suggested the lack of stakes—neither team vying for the title—dampened the spectacle. “If we are fighting for big things, the feeling will be completely different.”