Under a sun-drenched sky at Old Trafford, the much-anticipated Manchester derby delivered a surprisingly low-key affair. Both Manchester United and Manchester City settled for a 0-0 draw, leaving fans with few memorable moments despite high expectations.
City, missing top scorer Erling Haaland through injury, struggled to break down United’s resilient defense—a setback that has dented their bid for Champions League qualification. Manager Pep Guardiola noted, "Tight game. They had chances. We had chances as well. The only problem is we moved too much with the ball. We had to be in the right position and we didn't do that."
After the break, sparks flew when City striker Omar Marmoush unleashed a blistering shot from 25 yards, forcing United keeper Andre Onana into a magnificent save. United’s Joshua Zirkzee also came close to changing the course of the match with a half-volley that City keeper Ederson thwarted with an impressive two-handed stop.
Notably, United’s clean sheet marked their first at Old Trafford since a commanding 4-0 win over Everton on December 1, 2024. In comparison, memories of a previous, more thrilling matter—when United stunned the champions with late goals at Etihad Stadium—added a bittersweet contrast to the day.
While the drama was subdued, this derby serves as a reminder that even quieter games carry lessons for both sides as they look ahead to new challenges. ⚽️
Reference(s):
Underwhelming Manchester derby ends in stalemate at Old Trafford
cgtn.com
