Gary Neville and Roy Keane rip into 'friendly' Manchester derby after drab first half at Old Trafford

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Gary Neville and Roy Keane ripped into the drab first half of the Manchester derby, comparing the goalless encounter to a pre-season friendly.

Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances and registered just one shot on target apiece in a noticeably flat atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Alejandro Garnacho was unable to divert a header at goal after Diogo Dalot's inviting delivery while Kevin De Bruyne, who announced he will leave City at the end of the season, bent the visitors' best opportunity straight into the arms of Andre Onana.

Unsurprisingly, Sky Sports' punditry panel were distinctly unimpressed and delivered a damning assessment of the spectacle at the break.

Speaking on co-commentary during the latter stages of the half, Neville said: '[Ruben] Amorim may be happier in the sense that City are the better team but I can't imagine he will be that happy. It's the Manchester derby. It's been a bit like a friendly.

'It's like we are getting to a point in football where teams are frightened to death to give the ball away. Everyone is so obsessed with shape that nothing is happening in a lot of games. It's got to stop. 

Pundits ripped into the drab first half of a 'friendly' Manchester derby at Old Trafford

Kevin De Bruyne wrapped City's best effort of the first 45 minutes straight at Andre Onana

Roy Keane ripped into the display of both sides, urging the players to lift the atmosphere

Gary Neville was similarly unimpressed and insisted teams are now scared of losing the ball

'The excitement and beauty of the Premier League is the thrust and energy, excitement and it's been a little bit different.

'The 45 minutes has been a non-entity. It's not good enough from either team.'

Keane was similarly disappointed with both performances. 

He said: 'I look at the two teams and think, they obviously sit there dominating possession. United are sitting in like they normally do and probably look more of a goal threat. It's been a derby game and there's no energy in the stadium.

'I know the players have to produce something. I can't believe this - this is a friendly derby. This is a friendly derby.

'I used to play against City years ago when they weren't a great team, but they'd get stuck into it and make it a derby game. It's just… it doesn't have that feel to it today.'