Manchester United and Manchester City played out an uninspiring 0-0 English Premier League draw on Sunday that underlined the need for change at both clubs this summer.
City did threaten twice at Old Trafford through Omar Marmoush but the Egypt forward could not beat United goalkeeper Andre Onana on either occasion.
United created a succession of half-chances. But once Alejandro Garnacho had been sent sprawling by Ruben Dias on the edge of the City box in the opening seconds, a familiar story unfolded.
As on so many occasions this season, Ruben Amorim’s side did not seem as though they believed they could score.
The nearest they came was 13 minutes from time when substitute Joshua Zirkzee turned a Patrick Dorgu cross goalwards but Ederson was able to push the Dutchman’s effort to safety.
A draw keeps United anchored in the middle of the lower half of the table in 13th but City are now sweating on a UEFA Champions League spot, remaining in fifth – which would almost certainly be enough – but with Newcastle two points behind them with two games in hand.
Arguably the most inspiring moment of the whole afternoon came before kick-off when United captain Bruno Fernandes accompanied seven-year-old mascot Bobby Moore from Belfast on to the pitch.
The Portugal international invited Moore to Old Trafford after seeing a video of the youngster celebrating his goal in a previous Manchester derby. In the process Moore became United’s first-ever wheelchair/powerchair-using mascot.
As at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, there was a lot to like about United’s performance.
Garnacho’s early charge downfield set the tone for the first half hour as the home side passed the ball with purpose and repeatedly found players in encouraging positions close to the City area.
But, as was the case at the City Ground, where they lost 1-0, they failed to turn those positions into a meaningful threat.
Garnacho got a header all wrong, Dorgu didn’t trust himself to shoot with his right foot and fired wide with his left and Manuel Ugarte couldn’t keep his balance long enough to send a far post effort goalwards.
Rasmus Hojlund started but didn’t have a chance of note. Zirkzee had one but Ederson was equal to it.
United have now failed to score in 11 of their 31 league games this season.
BBC Sport
