Manchester United and Arsenal pre-match pleasantries were 'total nonsense,' says Phil Neville

A number of players from each team could be seen exchanging pleasantries prior to kick-off in Sunday's showdown at the Emirates

Phil Neville said Nacho Monreal looked like he was attending a 'christening' (Match of the Day 2)

Phil Neville has criticised Manchester United and Arsenal’s players for hugging and exchanging pleasantries in the Emirates Stadium tunnel prior to kick-off in Sunday’s Premier League showdown.

The two English giants once shared one of football’s fiercest rivalries, as embodied by the personal clashes between captains Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.

But with Arsenal and Manchester both on the wane, their enmity has faded in recent years.

Neville, a former United player, was quick to criticise some members of the two teams for their mild-mannered approach before kick-off on Sunday afternoon.

Goalkeepers Petr Cech and David de Gea were seen hugging while Spaniards Nacho Monreal and Ander Herrera appeared to share a joke.

Neville took exception to such pleasantries, labelling them as “total nonsense”.

“This is a nonsense to me,” he said on Match of the Day 2. “It's a total nonsense. Look at Wayne Rooney there: old school, looking forward and not hugging or kissing.

“I think Monreal's going to a christening there rather than a football game. I can't imagine doing that to Martin Keown ten years ago in a tunnel at Highbury."

In response, fellow BBC pundit Keown said: “I wouldn't have given you the chance.

“Listen, this is modern day and this is what players are like. As long as they do the business on the pitch...

The recent rivalry between the two teams has subsided in recent years (AFP/Getty Images) (Getty)

“I hated it when the French players were like this with one another, the English players certainly didn't do it.”

Neville concluded: “It doesn't matter if you know them. You see each other in the bar afterwards. But before a game just concentrate in the tunnel.”

Clashes between United and Arsenal used to be renowned for their fiery qualities, as best showcased by the memorable face-off between Keane and Vieira in the Highbury tunnel in 2005.

Referee Graham Poll came close to sending the pair off as they clashed before a crunch Premier League match, which United would go on to win 4-2.

That was just one in a series of feuds between the two midfielders, who between them have 10 Premier League winners' medals.