Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League
Manchester United's Premier League match with archrivals Manchester City ended in a 0-0 stalemate at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The match was a completely underwhelming affair with chances for either side coming few and far between. The ball was mostly contained in midfield and rarely looked like it would end up in the net when it did reach the final third, as both teams' array of attacking talents failed to make an impact.
Anthony Martial was among the few who impressed but again started on the left with Wayne Rooney up front for hosts United, while City welcomed captain Vincent Kompany back into the starting XI. However, the Citizens were without Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The two teams probed fairly cautiously in the early stages, before some excellent link-up play between Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling allowed the latter to find some space on the left of the penalty area, but the England international's shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Martial drew the plaudits with some dazzling play as he showed excellent dribbling skills and looked to run at City at every opportunity, per football writer Liam Canning and the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman:
The match itself left something to be desired, though, as both sides largely cancelled each other out in midfield and United failed to muster a single effort on goal in the first half.
Rooney wasted a rare opportunity for United when he opted to pass instead of shoot from the edge of the area, his pass finding no one and trickling out for a goal-kick.
Toure should have done better, as he headed wide from a corner before badly mishitting a shot inside the area following a lovely exchange with Kevin De Bruyne.
United had a penalty shot turned down by referee Mark Clattenburg early in the second half, after Ander Herrera was bundled over by Sterling.
The hosts began to slowly control more of the ball in midfield, but with Rooney offering nothing up front yet again, the Red Devils had no means to make their pressure tell.
Football 365's Daniel Storey was unimpressed with both sides:
The match finally saw some excitement in the closing stages as both sides came to life.
With six minutes of normal time remaining, Martial found substitute Jesse Lingard with a marvellous ball, which the youngster then sublimely lobbed over Joe Hart, only to bounce back off the crossbar.
Nicolas Otamendi had a chance of his own shortly after when he almost finished an Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick, but Rooney did well to disrupt his attempt.
Chris Smalling then forced an excellent save from Hart after Marouane Fellaini knocked the ball down to him from a free-kick, but neither side could find what would have ultimately been an undeserved winner.
The point sees City return to the top of the table on goal difference, and a draw is a fairly good result for both, though neither will be inspired by their performance.
Both teams have highly winnable games coming up with the likes of Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion on the horizon for United, while City will be taking on Norwich City and Aston Villa.
Expect there to be little separation between the sides prior to the busy Christmas period, which could have a huge impact on the title race if one team is able to cope better than the other.
Post-Match Reaction
According to BBC Sport's Phil McNulty, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini acknowledged the game was not easy on the eyes:
"We are back at the top of the table. It was a very tactical game. I prefer to play in another way but we defended well.
Unfortunately for the fans it was not a very attractive game. We are two creative teams but we could not do it today.
"
Per McNulty, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes United were the better side: "We had 90 minutes control of the game against a side like Manchester City. I cannot complain. But you want to win and we did not."
He also took issue with Clattenburg's refusal to give the hosts a penalty, adding: "We should have had a penalty on Ander Herrera. It is easy to see for me but I have a replay. The referee has one second. I always say we need the modern technology but I am the only one in the desert calling for it."
