MAN UNITED 0, MAN CITY 0
After all the pre-match hype about the £545million clash and the richest game in football came a massive let down at Old Trafford.
The 170th Manchester derby certainly did not live up to expectations and was a polar opposite to some of the dramatic spectacles of recent seasons.
It was as though both sides were set up not to lose in a game which only flickered to life in the latter stages.
Twice United came close to snatching victory as substitute Jess Lingard struck the crossbar and Chris Smalling forced a decent save from Joe Hart while they also had a strong shout for a penalty rejected after Raheem Sterling’s reckless challenge on Ander Herrera.
But it was a draw that saw City regain top spot in the Barclays Premier League with fourth-placed United only two points behind.
City managed only one tame effort on target in the game from Jesus Navas as this was the first time in 23 games they had failed to find the net. Had Sergio Aguero and David Silva been fit to play, it may well have been a different story.
This was also the first time in 61 Premier League games since February 2014 that City had been involved in a goalless draw as they endured a frustrating afternoon. While they defended resolutely, they lacked attacking prowess.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini was satisfied with the draw.
He said: “It was a good draw at a difficult stadium. We came here for three points and in the first half tried to score.
“There were no clear-cut chances in the second and it was not our intention to play that way.
“It is not our normal way to do it but, if we have to, we will do it, and one point here is not bad.”
United manager Louis van Gaal was left to reflect on what might have been, but spoke about of the pride of his players’ efforts.
The Reds’ boss said: “We do not have luck either. I have seen the Herrera incident and it was a penalty, but the referee is not giving us that benefit.
“I could see it on the video clearly, he (Sterling) did not touch the ball, but we do not have that luck this season.
“It was incredibly difficult for the referee and it is not a big issue, but it not for the first time that it has happened.
“We had chances – Lingard and Smalling twice and we have to score from them.”
Juan Mata for Lingard was the one change in the United starting line up from midweek when they drew at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
City restored captain Vincent Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov to their defence with Fernando recalled to reinforce the midfield.
The players to make way were Eliaquim Mangala, Pablo Zabaleta and Navas who had all played against Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday.
As is the case in many derbies, it was a tight and cagy affair with both sides struggling to carve out any meaningful chances.
Indeed, the only opening in the first half hour was a shot by Raheem Sterling that was blocked by Phil Jones as it went harmlessly wide for a corner.
There was a brief flurry of activity from City late in the half as Yaya Toure’s free kick was deflected off the defensive wall for a corner, and from Kevin De Bruyne’s kick, Toure headed narrowly wide.
United’s best spell of the game came early in the second period when Herrara was convinced he ought to have won a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Sterling.
Then moments later Chris Smalling’s header from Mata’s corner drifted the wrong side of the upright as City momentarily lived dangerously.
City made their first change 10 minutes into the half when Navas replaced Sterling who was again ineffective.
City keeper Joe Hart had to sprint from his area to clear after Marcos Rojo’s great through ball released Mata.
United made their substitution midway through the period when Lingard took over from Mata then with 15 minutes left Bastian Schweinsteiger made way for Marouane Fellaini.
City surprisingly took off Toure with 13 minutes left as he was replaced by Martin Demichelis while United’s final change saw Matteo Darmian come on for the injured Antonio Valencia.
It took until the 82nd minute for either side to conjure an on-target goal attempt when Navas shot straight at David De Gea.
City’s last change was Kelechi Iheanacho for Bony in a straight striker swop.
United had two great chances late on to snatch victory.
First Anthony Martial played in Lingard whose volley from six yards hit the crossbar.
And then Fellaini headed Herrera’s free kick to Smalling whose shot brought a fine save from Hart who dived low to his left. It was United’s first goal attempt on target after 88 minutes as Hart kept a 100th clean sheet in the Premier League.