"It didn’t happen for them" - Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel takes brutal dig at Manchester City
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has admitted that he found Manchester City's UEFA Champions League clash against Inter Milan quite boring.
The Cityzens locked horns with the Serie A champions in their preliminary fixture of the league phase of the tournament. The match ended in a goalless draw as neither side could break the deadlock after 90 minutes.
Speaking on CBS after the game, Schmeichel lamented how uninteresting the fixture was at the Etihad while criticizing Manchester City's supporters for such a voiceless atmosphere.
However, the former Manchester United goalkeeper also praised Inter for their display and for successfully subduing threats like Erling Haaland. He said (as quoted by Metro):
"I don’t think it’s a good draw and I felt it was a really, really boring game. I felt Inter did a good job in stopping Manchester City. I love good football and I like excitement from the crowd and it was dead."
"The Etihad was absolutely dead. The only people we could hear were the Inter supporters who were quite good. But there was no atmosphere in the Etihad today."
Schmeichel concluded:
"Normally you would think a big European night but it didn’t happen for them."
Manchester United will next face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday (21 September), while Manchester City take on Arsenal in a crucial league fixture on Sunday.
Peter Schmeichel and Micah Richards argue over Manchester United legend's criticism of Manchester City's fans
Peter Schmeichel's criticism of Manchester City's fans at the Etihad this week certainly did not sit well with Micah Richards, who hit back at the Manchester United icon for his comments.
Richards, who won two Premier League titles during his playing days with the Cityzens, ushered to his former side's defense after Schmeichel's statement. He asked (via Sport Bible):
"Are you disrespecting my club?"
Richards then pointed out City's 2-1 comeback victory over Brentford last weekend at the Etihad and the atmosphere on the night. He said:
"You should have been there on Saturday, Pete"
To which, Schmeichel replied:
"They might have left the atmosphere there on Saturday. Honestly, it was so flat."
Manchester United are currently 10th in the Premier League table after two wins and two losses in their first four fixtures. Meanwhile, City have had an excellent start to the 2024-25 campaign, securing victories in all four of their league games so far.
The Cityzens are two points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, while United are three points adrift of the top four.