You could see that this was a game between two sides lacking quality. Both United and City have had awful campaigns yet when it comes to the derby, one would think that things would ramp up.

Unfortunately, even the event of a derby couldn't really cause either side to truly take the game to the other.

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The home team began the better as an early burst by Garnacho resulted in an edge-of-the-box free-kick and a booking for Ruben Dias. The set-piece wasn't one of Bruno's better ones despite the close proximity to the goal.

Yet a positive start nonetheless, something that the Old Trafford faithful would've wanted to see given the fact that their side can start slowly.

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As the game went on though, that early surge of energy from Ruben's Reds faded and Pep's blues started to strut their stuff. The noisy neighbors started to dictate the play and control more of the possession. Captain for the match and the soon-to-be-departing Kevin de Bruyne had a shot with his left-foot that caused Onana no trouble, thankfully.

Whilst the champions did dominate the ball, it was without any real cutting edge and United's predictable conserved approach looked to be doing the trick.

Keeping it solid with all men behind the ball whenever without it, MUFC frustrated the cityzens and managed to pick them off on the break. Amorim's players creating several great opportunities but that familiar issue of failing to make the most of them saw United waste those attacks.

All of Dorgu, Casemiro and Garnacho had enough chances to cause Ederson more problems than they did but due to poor execution or wrong decision-making, the Brazilian had little to be concerned about.

That was pretty much the first half with neither side really taking the game by the scruff of the neck although United would've been annoyed at not making Ederson work a lot more in City's goal.

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The second half showed a lot more promise in terms of a quality increase especially for City as they began the better of the two. de Bruyne again having a shot that forced Onana into a save but it still wasn't enough to truly make the Cameroonian panic.

Both managers then thought that it was time for changes. Pep brought on Jeremy Doku for Phil Foden and Amorim removing the returning Maguire for Lindelof in a substitution that appeared to be one more of caution rather than necessity.

Despite City still controlling majority of possession, it was United who maintained that ability to create good chances. Ugarte with a shot that went past the post to a relieved Ederson who was stuck on the spot.

The Uruguayan was then taken off for Mount with Zirkzee also joining the match for the once again, underwhelming Hojlund. This change proved to be correct as the Dutchman had arguably United's best chance late on.

Amorim saw his team work the ball to either wing-back multiple times throughout the game with each time seeing a chance at making something happen. This time, it was Dorgu who ended up putting the ball into Zirkzee's feet only for the forward's left-footed shot to be saved by City's number 1, the only time we called him into real action. Mount's rebound was then blocked.

That was the last either side came close to scoring.

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I don't think Amorim nor Pep would be too upset at that result. Yes, United deserved to win more than City but it's not the worst result to get against the champions, even if they are shite this season.

What the MUFC boss would've enjoyed was the type of chances his side were creating. Many of them came from his wing-backs or from out wide which is what the 3-4-2-1 formation is all about in terms of attacks. Many of those opportunities were in the box as well which was another improvement.

But while creating these chances is a good thing and is certainly an improvement to what we've seen for most of the season as we're at least creating them, Amorim will be upset at his players not making the most of these situations.

This is another match that goes by where we say that we should've won. All of Arsenal, Forest and the Sociedad first leg saw us give the same thoughts.

What is positive though, is that United don't look completely awful in the last month-and-a-half. The football has been decent and the chances have been created. It's now about being ruthless in the final third.

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Ratings

Onana - 6

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Mazraoui - 7.5 MOTM

Maguire - 6

Yoro - 6.5

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Dalot - 6

Casemiro - 6.5

Ugarte - 5.5

Dorgu - 6

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Bruno - 6.5

Garnacho - 6.5

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Hojlund - 5

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Lindelof - 6

Mount - 6

Zirkzee - 6.5

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Ruben Amorim - 6.5

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Final Thoughts

Not the worst result but once more, felt like we should be winning that. At least we're now in the position to be saying this as before, we were just happy with getting out of a game without having our arses handed to us.

It's also another match where there were more positives than negatives and a game against a top side in which we performed.

I'm starting to see improvements in the team and one where the players are maybe getting to grips with this formation. It's also a performance to build upon for Thursday which is one MASSIVE game.

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Background Image: Man Utd 0-0 Man City (24/25) | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)