EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City: Derby Ends in Stalemate

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Manchester United and Manchester City picked a point each after the derby ended in a goalless 0-0 stalemate at Old Trafford.

This was the first derby in years where neither of the two were in the top 4 before the match. The draw leaves United with 20 points and City with 19 points with a game in hand for both.

United now sit at 8th in the Premier League table with City just below at 9th. The home team kept their 3rd consecutive clean sheet against City for the first time since 1995.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City Team News:

Manchester United started with 4-1-2-1-2 diamond midfield formation. Fred returned to the squad after missing the game against West Ham. Luke Shaw started on the left-wing ahead of Alex Telles.

Manchester City started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Gabriel Jesus leading the attack. City were without the service of Sergio Agüero.

Manchester Derby Analysis:

City dominated possession but never looked threatening for most parts of the game. United on the other hand, tried to hit City on the break and looked dangerous with their one-touch forward passes.

United had 11 shots compared to City’s 9 shots. Both the teams had 2 shots on target and both the captains received a yellow card ,which were the only bookings in the game.

The home team had most of their chances in the first half from corner kicks. Scott McTominay was short of just an inch when Victor Lindelof flicked Shaw’s corner to the far post. Harry Maguire had his header go right above the crossbar and Lindelof’s header from a Bruno Fernandes corner just missed the far post.

Manchester City had some good shots in the first half too. Sterling feinted past Wan-Bissaka then Lindelof and took a shot but Maguire stood strong to block the strike. Jesus tried to volley a Mahrez long first time but could not angle it right into the net.

The best chance came to Mahrez minutes later. Jesus ran towards the right from midfield and the United midfield pressed toward him. As he reached the edge of the box, he slid it to Kevin de Bruyne who laid it of for an unmarked Mahrez through the legs of Shaw. Mahrez took a touch and struck it low. But De Gea got low and saved it with his shin. De Bruyne volleyed the rebound only to watch it reach the stands.

United was given a penalty early in the second half when Rashford was fouled in the box as he prepared to shoot. However, VAR overturned the decision after Rashford was found to be offside before receiving the ball.

Neither of the teams wanted to drop points and it resulted in a very tame second half.

Both teams made one substitution throughout the game. Pep Guardiola brought Ferran Torres for Riyad Mahrez and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in Antony Martial for Mason Greenwood.

Notable Player Performances

Scott McTominay(7.5/10)(MOTM): Dictated the midfield throughout the game. Unlucky to not score.

Luke Shaw(7/10): Impressive display after coming back from injury. Nullified Ferran Torres.

John Stones(7/10): Did not let United to complete their open play attacks.

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