United came into the derby on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest midweek. With just 37 points and sitting in 13th place, the 2024/25 season is shaping up to be one of the worst in United’s Premier League history. With European qualification via league position now almost out of reach, Erik ten Hag’s side played with nothing but pride against their long-time rivals. And they rose to the occasion, delivering a performance that was a far cry from their recent struggles.
For Manchester City, the stakes were considerably higher. Pep Guardiola’s men sat fifth in the table with 51 points, pushing hard for a Champions League spot. With 15 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses, City have been more consistent than United, though far from their dominant best in recent seasons. Their inconsistency, particularly away from home—where they’ve managed only 6 wins in 15 games—has been their Achilles heel. So, a draw at Old Trafford, though frustrating, was not entirely unexpected.
City entered the derby with a golden opportunity to climb into the top four after Chelsea had been held to a draw by Brentford the previous day. However, they were dealt a blow with star striker Erling Haaland sidelined due to injury. Omar Marmoush was given the nod to lead the line, while Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting lineup following news that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
City took control of the game from the start, dictating the tempo and applying early pressure. But United responded with a compact defensive shape, looking to break on the counter. The home side had perhaps the best chance of the first half in the 29th minute when Bruno Fernandes set up Manuel Ugarte, but the Uruguayan midfielder couldn’t convert.
City, for all their possession, lacked sharpness in the final third. Misfiring in front of goal and missing their usual fluency, Guardiola's men were unable to find a breakthrough. Early in the second half, Phil Foden had a golden chance but hesitated in front of goal, allowing André Onana to smother the opportunity. De Bruyne resorted to long-range efforts, but none threatened the United goal. In the 65th minute, Marmoush came close with a curling free kick, only for Onana to once again come to United’s rescue.
Controversy flared in the 81st minute when Mateo Kovačić appeared to foul Casemiro inside the box, but United’s penalty claims were waved away by the referee. It was one of the most contentious moments in a tense second half that ultimately ended goalless.
The result leaves both sides in limbo. United, seemingly resigned to finishing mid-table, will shift focus to chasing a Champions League spot through the Europa League. City, meanwhile, remains in a tightly contested race for the top four, now trailing Chelsea by just one point. With seven games left, the battle for Champions League qualification is set to go down to the wire—arguably Guardiola’s toughest domestic campaign since taking over at the Etihad.
The Manchester Derby may have ended in a stalemate, but for both clubs, the implications run deep.
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