Manchester United and Manchester City played out a dull goalless stalemate in the 196th Manchester derby in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Old Trafford staged a closely-contested contest between two struggling top-flight teams who have performed well below the standards expected this season and who were unable to deliver much excitement across a disappointing 90 minutes on the red side of Manchester.
After announcing his decision to leave Man City at the end of the season, club legend Kevin De Bruyne began his farewell tour behind enemy lines, and the Citizens' finest artist was hoping to paint pictures in his 22nd and final derby for all those in sky-blue cheering him on.
However, Pep Guardiola's side found it difficult to break down Man United's deep and compact back five; local lad Phil Foden fluffed one of their better opportunities early in the second half while Andre Onana had to be alert to keep out a couple of well-struck shots from Omar Marmoush.
Man United posed the greater attacking threat throughout the match, with captain Bruno Fernandes at the heart of creating their opportunities, and they caught City out at times on the counter-attack, but - not for the first time - Ruben Amorim's side lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
A point apiece means that Champions League hopefuls Man City remain fifth in the table, one point behind Chelsea in fourth and one point above Aston Villa in sixth, while Man United remain 13th and seven points behind the top half.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
It is fair to say that the only good thing about this afternoon's Manchester derby is that it is now over.
We were all hoping for some thrilling, end-to-end action and excitement from the latest instalment of United vs. City, but this lifeless contest felt almost like a pre-season friendly. The first 45 in particular was a non-entity, and there was very little change after the break.
Both teams lacked quality, energy and intensity. They seemed to be obsessed with their shape and were frightened to give the ball away. No risks taken and deservedly no rewards received.
It became clear in the opening exchanges that this was an opportunity for United in transition against City's old boys in midfield who were just a yard slower than those in red. However, the Red Devils continue to fall short when they enter the final third, and the Citizens were not much better without the presence of Erling Haaland up top.
Both teams seemed pleased with a point apiece at full time, but overall, it was very disappointing for all those Man United fans who have paid high prices for tickets to watch mediocrity yet again, and very disappointing for all those travelling Man City supporters who had hoped to see their team send a message to all their Champions League chasing rivals in the race for a top-five finish.
MAN UNITED VS. MAN CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Alejandro Garnacho chance vs. Man City (20th min, Man United 0-0 Man City)
From around eight yards out, Garnacho is unable to connect with Diogo Dalot's dangerous delivery from the right. The Argentine attacker is caught between a half-volley finish and a diving header, and he ultimately fails to achieve either.
Phil Foden chance vs. Man United (48th min, Man United 0-0 Man City)
Big chance for Foden! Man City see their best chance of the contest go begging as Casemiro's touch inside the penalty area puts Foden through on goal, but his first touch is a poor one and as he hesitates to take the shot, Noussair Mazraoui gets back in time and the scabby effort dribbles wide.
Omar Marmoush chance vs. Man United (65th min, Man United 0-0 Man City)
After being felled by substitute Victor Lindelof, Omar Marmoush stepped up to take the resulting free kick from 30 yards out and fires a well-struck shot towards the top right corner, but Andre Onana is there to palm it clear.
Omar Marmoush chance vs. Man United (68th min, Man United 0-0 Man City)
What a strike by Marmoush! A corner is cleared out to the Egyptian who wastes no time in smashing a 25-yard half-volley with plenty of velocity and vigour, but it flies straight at Onana who palms it clear again.
Joshua Zirkzee chance vs. Man City (78th min, Man United 0-0 Man City)
Patrick Dorgu picks out substitute Joshua Zirkzee with a low cross from the left, but Man City goalkeeper Ederson pulls off a terrific save high to his left to keep out the Dutchman's sweeping first-time strike with his left foot.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO FERNANDES
© Imago
There were few standout performers at Old Trafford, and although Man United were unable to score, Bruno Fernandes was once again the one shining light for the Red Devils in midfield.
March's Premier League Player of the Month ranked first for chances created (three), final-third entries (five), crosses (seven), possession won (seven) and successful passes (39) throughout the 90 minutes.
MAN UNITED VS. MAN CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 41%-59% Man City
Shots: Man United 13-9 Man City
Shots on target: Man United 2-5 Man City
Corners: Man United 5-3 Man City
Fouls: Man United 13-9 Man City
BEST STATS
Rúben Dias' booking after 38 seconds is the earliest card in a Premier League Manchester derby on record (since 2006-07).🟨#MUNMCI
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 6, 2025
HT: Man Utd 0-0 Man City
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 6, 2025
Only Leicester (7), Southampton (11) and Crystal Palace (12) have scored fewer first half goals in the Premier League this season than Manchester United (13). #MUNMCI | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/LMZqDP1Rd9
There were just eight shots in the first half.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2025
Only two Premier League Manchester derbies on record (from 2003/04) have had fewer in the opening 45 minutes (6 in Jan 2023, 4 in Oct 2015). 😴 https://t.co/qoOAvWxGoT
Bruno Fernandes created all three of Manchester United's chances in the first half vs. Manchester City.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 6, 2025
He was the only player on the pitch to create multiple chances in the opening 45 minutes. 🪄#MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/G3uHbAUbLI
Casemiro won more duels than any other player in the first half vs. Man City and finished the half with a 100% duel win rate (7/7).
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2025
He also made more tackles than any other player in the opening 45 minutes (6), which was more than the entire Man City side combined (5). 💪 pic.twitter.com/xCVtWgBNWU
11 - Casemiro made 11 tackles against Manchester City today, the joint-most by a Manchester United player on record (from 2006-07) in a Premier League game, along with Owen Hargreaves v Liverpool in December 2007 and Patrice Evra v Portsmouth in August 2008. Bite. pic.twitter.com/pbCW43sbdq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 6, 2025
Man City's xG of 0.49 is their fourth lowest in a Premier League game under Pep Guardiola.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2025
◎ 0.42 vs. Liverpool (2016)
◎ 0.46 vs. West Ham (2021)
◎ 0.48 vs. Arsenal (2023)
◉ 0.49 vs. Man Utd (2025) https://t.co/xkb3kdC4Rn
Today was the first time Kevin De Bruyne had failed to create a single chance in a Premier League game that he had played the full 90 minutes in since April 2018 against West Ham.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2025
Not how he wanted his final Manchester derby to end. 😔 pic.twitter.com/uAPV5vaZEQ
Bruno Fernandes for Man Utd vs. Man City:
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2025
◉ Most touches (70)
◉ Most passes completed (40/43)
◉ Most final third passes (15)
◉ Most crosses (7)
◉= Most possessions won (7)
◉ Most successful take-ons (3)
◉ Most chances created (3)
The only one trying to make something... pic.twitter.com/C9F3Pz35vC
WHAT NEXT?
Man United will now turn their attention to the Europa League and will travel to France to take on Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday.
As for Man City, they have five full days to rest and prepare for a Saturday lunchtime kickoff at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Oliver Thomas
