Jack Grealish responds after Ruben Dias sends head-scratching Man City message
Ruben Dias’ attitude towards a bore draw in the Manchester Derby will have left many Man City fans in disbelief.
Dias and the rest of Pep Guardiola’s side left Old Trafford with a clean sheet and a point in the bag on Sunday, with one of the most forgettable meetings between the two rivals ending in a hard-to-watch 0-0.
The Portuguese was at the centre of controversy very early on as he brought down Alejandro Garnacho right on the edge of City’s box, conceding a free-kick and being booked inside the opening minute.
Keith Hackett, however, exclusively told Football Insider that VAR should have intervened to award Man United a penalty, but City got away unscathed and continue their push for Champions League football.
Grealish reacts to Ruben Dias message at Man City
City haven’t been at their best on the road this campaign, with six losses and wins apiece, and Sunday’s stalemate at Old Trafford was their fourth draw away from the Etihad Stadium amid a season to forget.
While Josko Gvardiol has been an ever-present for Guardiola’s side, injuries have limited Dias to 32 appearances in all competitions, making just 20 in the Premier League as City fell out of title contention.
Manchester United | Statistic | Manchester City |
| 0 | Goals | 0 |
| 0.92 | xG | 0.49 |
| 2 / 13 | Shots on Target | 5 / 9 |
| 42% | Possession | 58% |
| 5 | Corners | 3 |
Following the full-time whistle across the city, Dias posted on Instagram (6 April), including pictures taken both before and during the match with the caption: “+1 on the road.”
Dias’ current team-mate Jack Grealish liked his post, as did title winners Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott, but City fans will be in no mood to do so given the standards that have been set in recent years.
Ruben Dias rings alarm bells with Manchester Derby verdict
Man City will indeed be hoping to put this season behind them as quickly as possible and every point is indeed valuable, but when a Manchester Derby comes around, the expectation must be to win.
Even with a new-look City squad playing away from home, a Man United side sat 13th in the table were there for the taking, and fans haven’t held back in singling out the likes of Phil Foden for criticism.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday that Hugo Larsson is another player Guardiola wants to sign in his bid to rebuild an ailing and aging squad, but any new arrival will quickly need to learn that Manchester derbies are matches which City, after all their success in recent years, must win at all costs.