Manchester United offered immediate handball verdict as Gary Neville makes penalty U-turn

Manchester United were looking to return to winning ways against Manchester City on Sunday.

Gary Neville believes Ruben Dias was lucky after the Manchester City defender avoided being penalised for a handball during their clash with Manchester United.

Midway through the second-half, the Portuguese defender slipped as he went to clear a low United cross with the ball hitting his chest.

The Premier League-winning defender initially thought that the City captain, who had already escaped retrospective action for a trip on Alejandro Garnacho in the opening seconds, had handled the ball.

However, he was forced to acknowledge the decision made by referee John Brooks as the replays showed that there was no initial infringement from Dias. Former Premier League official Mike Dean was also in agreement with the man in the middle.

Neville said: "I thought that was handball… maybe it hits his chest."

The ex-referee then said: "Good decision, he’s slid on the floor, hit his chest and caught his chin." Before Nevile continued: "I just thought because his arm was out from up here, it looked like it hit his arm but it was his chest.

"He’s lucky, Dias. I think his feet give way, his arms out, just pulls that left arm back and hits his chest."

The Manchester derby on Sunday was a drab affair with both sides failing to test either goalkeeper. One of the biggest flashpoints in the encounter came in the first exchanges when Garnacho raced through on goal.

He was brought down by Dias on the edge of the box, with claims for a penalty after the Argentinan went to ground in the penalty area. However, Brooks ruled that it was outside of the area and not denying a goalscoring opportunity with City players covering.