Manchester derby ends in goalless draw

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City runs with the ball

Manchester City’s hopes of Champions League qualification remain in the balance after a dismal derby at Manchester United ended 0-0 on Sunday.

United had the better of a game limited in chances as it missed out on a first league double over City since 2019/20.

A point leaves City still in fifth in the English Premier League, which should be enough to reach next season’s Champions League. 

However, Pep Guardiola’s men are just two points above Newcastle, which has two games in hand on City. A point edges United up to 13th.

A contest devoid of quality, intensity or fight summed up a dreadful season for both sides of the Manchester divide.

After a record four consecutive league titles, City’s form has fallen off a cliff to leave it at risk of not making the top four for the first time since 2009/10.

United’s only chance of Champions League qualification is by winning the Europa League, as it is set for its worst-ever English Premier League finish.

City had the majority of the ball, but United were the more threatening side on the counter-attack in a pedestrian first half.

Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte all failed to make the most of half-chances to get a strike off inside the City box. Phil Foden had the best chance just seconds after half time but fluffed his lines with only Andre Onana to beat.

The spectacle did marginally improve after the break as Omar Marmoush’s powerful effort from a corner stung the palms of Onana.

Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount’s introduction off the bench added more thrust to the United attack in the final 20 minutes.

Both had a chance to win it when Zirkzee’s shot was clawed away by Ederson, and Rico Lewis did well to get in the way of Mount’s follow-up effort.

There were smiles during a warm embrace between Guardiola and Ruben Amorim at full-time, but those pleasantries disguised the fact that neither man can be happy with the state of their sides after a disappointing campaign.

(Agencies)