Man Utd Fans Furious After Spotting What Happened Minutes Before Kick-Off in Manchester Derby

It has been more than two decades since Gary Neville refused to shake hands with Peter Schmeichel during the 2002 Manchester derby.

Despite forming a close bond throughout the 90s as they lifted numerous trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson, Schmeichel's decision to join City in 2002 was seen as a betrayal by many United fans, including Neville.

As both teams lined up in the tunnel at Maine Road, Schmeichel offered his hand to Neville, who locked eyes with the Danish goalkeeper for a brief moment before brushing his hand aside in anger.

"You just don't play for those clubs, irrespective of what happens," said Neville when speaking about the incident in 2018.

"He'd won the treble with United in '99, said that he was retiring... he should have carried on playing for United for the next two or three years if that was the case."

"He left us and basically said he was retiring abroad, then he came back and joined Manchester City. You can’t play for them, that’s just written in stone."

21 years ago today, Gary Neville snubbed Peter Schmeichel in the tunnel @GNev2 🇾🇪pic.twitter.com/kdnCp3hEww

— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) November 9, 2024

Neville added: "The other thing was at that time I hated everybody, we all did. Everybody hated us, we all hated everybody. That's the way it was. With Sir Alex, you're on an island and we were [in a] siege mentality. If you're not on the island, do one."

Fast forward to 2025 and, as Neville sat metres away in the commentary box, the atmosphere inside the Etihad tunnel ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby couldn't have been more different.

Joshua Zirkzee could be seen embracing Tijjani Reijnders and Erling Haaland, while United captain Bruno Fernandes hugged compatriots Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.

Harry Maguire even playfully flicked Phil Foden's ear before entering the pitch as the pre-match pleasantries extended to numerous members of both teams.

It was a scene that annoyed fans on social media.

One said: "Don’t like seeing how friendly these players are with each other in the tunnel. Save it for afterwards," while another commented: "We’re playing a derby and these players are hugging each other in the tunnel."

A third wrote: "Dear players, this is war, please refrain from hugging and blowing kisses to the opposition in the tunnel before the match. FFS."

A fourth said: "Stop with the hugging the opposition in the tunnel - it’s a freaking derby," and a fifth added: "Players high-fiving the opposition team in the tunnel. I miss the days when we had G Nev and Rooney."

A short time after the pre-match hugging and Phil Foden opened the scoring for Manchester City with a superb header in the 18th minute.