Manchester United were held to a goalless draw against Manchester City in a hard-fought encounter at old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
While it was a respectable performance by Man United, some poor shooting and miscommunication prevented the hosts from securing a victory over their bitter rivals.
The hosts got the game off to a fiery start, with Alejandro Garnacho bursting forward to collect a long ball out from the back. While spectators may have been frustrated due to his decision not to pass, the Argentine was brought down on the edge of the box, handing United a threatening free-kick just a minute into the match.
While Bruno Fernandes struck his shot hard and low, the City wall did its job, deflecting the ball out for a corner that they did well to defend as well.
On the stroke of 10 minutes, Phill Foden sidestepped Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu before taking a shot that veered inches wide of the near post.
As the minutes passed, United’s passing appeared to deteriorate, with the likes of Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro continuously passing to the other side. Furthermore, Casemiro’s temper appeared to be boiling to the surface as he began making risky sliding tackles before the 20-minute mark was even reached.
20 minutes in, Diogo Dalot sent an ideal pass into the box, with three United players in his line of fire. Garnacho appeared to rise to the occasion, only to fail to get contact with the ball before the visitors’ defence dealt with the danger.
Three minutes later, Garnacho broke through the City defence again, rushing down the right wing. He sent the ball into the box toward Dorgu, whose first touch was too heavy. It was a frustratingly close opportunity that the defender missed, only amplifying the disappointing match he had experienced until that point.
United looked set to break through the visitors’ defence yet again when Fernandes threaded a through ball to Dorgu on the left. Unfortunately, the wing-back thumped his cross over the crossbar.
Moments later, Manuel Ugarte got on the end of a Fernandes’ lob only to hammer the ball over the top. Yet again, United were wasteful on the attack.
Past the half-hour mark, City came close to finding the back of the net when Andre Onana failed to track a corner kick. Fortunately, Noussair Mazraoui was able to head the ball out of danger. It was a poor lapse of concentration from the United goalkeeper.
Ilkay Gündoğan came close to scoring for the visitors when he took a long-range shot that veered just wide of the far post. Still, Onana did well to keep his eye on the ball, covering the far post with a decent dive in case the shot found its way on target.
Minutes before the break, Fernandes collected the ball in a goalmouth scramble and fired goalward, forcing a save from the keeper. It was United’s first shot on target of the match.
Following two minutes of added time, the game remained goalless. While a decent performance by the home side, United’s attack remained ineffective, barely threatening the visitors’ defence.
Manager Ruben Amorim would need to find a way to galvanise his team in an effort to break the deadlock after the break.
Two minutes into the second half, Foden came close to breaking through the United defence, only for Mazraoui to track back just in time to deny the winger.
Kevin de Bruyne attempted a shot from outside the box, only for Onana to catch his low effort.
Just before the hour mark, Maguire made way for Victor Lindelof.
Moments later, Dorgu almost got on the end of a prime Fernandes cross, only for Matheus Nunes to head the ball out of danger for a corner, which was easily dealt with.
Lindelof fouled Omar Marmoush on the edge of the box, handing De Bruyne what could be his last Manchester derby free-kick. It was Marmoush who stepped up to take the shot, with Onana parrying out for a corner.
67 minutes in, Dalot was booked for a foul on Jeremy Doku. Yet again, City had the chance to score from a free-kick.
While United dealt with the danger, Marmoush took a blistering shot that Onana did well to block.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Ugarte hit a well-struck shot from the outside of the box that breezed past the post. He and Hojlund were then taken off for Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee.
Mount received a yellow card for bringing down Bernardo Silva after he dispossessed Fernandes.
Once again, United looked threatening up top. Dorgu sent a threatening cross to Zirkzee, whose threatening shot was parried by Ederson. Mount lined up a follow-up shot, only for his attempt to be blocked.
In the 79th minute, Casemiro went down in the box after clashing with Mateo Kovacic. Upon closer inspection, no penalty was given.
Leny Yoro entered the book in the 84th minute when he unnecessarily pulled down Marmoush outside the box.
With four minutes left on the clock, Mount sent a pass to Zirkzee, whose close-range effort was blocked. United certainly seemed more likely to find a late winner.
Seconds later, the City defence put a cross from Fernandes out for a corner. Unfortunately, Dorgu hit his shot well wide upon collecting the ball on the edge of the box.
On the stroke of 90 minutes, Dorgu fell awkwardly upon clashing with Nunes while challenging for the ball. Fortunately, he was able to return to his feet, with four minutes of added time lit up on the clock.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Fernandes, Hojlund, Dorgu, Yoro, Garnacho, Dalot, Ugarte
Subs: Lindelof, Mount, Zirkzee
Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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