Sky Sports have been heavily criticised for their new show 'In The Box' which focused on the Manchester Derby at the weekend and angered many football fans
Matty Hewitt
06:25, 19 Jan 2026Updated 06:26, 19 Jan 2026
Sky Sports have been heavily criticised for their 'In the Box' show format.
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Sky Sports have been heavily criticised for their 'In the Box' show format.(Image: Sky Sports)
Sky Sports have been criticised for their new format 'In the Box' whereby three Manchester United and three Manchester City fans were locked inside a box for the Manchester Derby and shown still snippets of the game.
The fans inside the box had no idea of the score as Michael Carrick's men put Pep Guardiola's side to the sword at Old Trafford and were shown images throughout the game, before guessing the result at the end of the match.
Sky presenter Dave Jones and the Sky Sports panel of Roy Keane, Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards all took part, with the United legend revealing the score to those in the box at the end of the game.
Three Man United fans and three Man City fans took part in Sky Sports 'In The Box' show.
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Three Man United fans and three Man City fans took part in Sky Sports 'In The Box' show.(Image: Sky Sports)
The three United fans in the booth celebrated wildly with Keane and Sturridge bursting into laughter, while the City fans looked bitterly disappointed.
However, fans on social media were highly critical of the format, claiming it discouraged them from watching the football in one of the most meaningful games of the year for both sets of supporters.
United ran out 2-0 winners and took the all-important bragging rights thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu in Michael Carrick's first game in charge as interim head coach.
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Users on social media asked why fans would not want to watch the game, while Sky were also encouraging those taking part to miss one of the biggest games of the season.
One fan said: "Embarrassing from SKY. If you enjoy this ‘content’ you need an urgent and very thorough psychological examination."
Another said: "I just don't understand the thinking that went into it. 'So we'll lock some fans in a box so they can't enjoy watching the game' and then what? 'We'll tell them the result at full time.' Ok, and then what happens? 'Uh.... nothing, that's it.' Great idea!"
Three Man United fans and three Man City fans had to give their final score predictions as part in Sky Sports 'In The Box' show
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Three Man United fans and three Man City fans had to give their final score predictions as part in Sky Sports 'In The Box' show.(Image: Sky Sports)
One fan commented: "Imagine missing a Manchester derby of high importance for this," and another said: "Absolutely ridiculous!"
"What a stupid concept," said another. "Imagine not being able to watch live the best match United have played in years. It's a freaking slideshow. City fans creating chances in their own heads. Why not just do a three v three live fan commentary?"
"Of all the concepts Sky Sports have tried over the years, this is one is the most ridiculous," said another.
However, some fans the concept of the show and one said: "It's content for content creators and income that provides for themselves and their family. You don't need to think too hard mate."
Another said: "This was really fun to watch," while one fan commented: "The PAY must be too good for anyone to be missing a game of this magnitude !!! This was pretty hilarious."
A fourth said: "Honestly I enjoyed this, this was fun."
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Daily Star Sport has approached Sky Sports for a comment on the criticism and whether the show will return.