Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Winners and Losers from the Derby
The 170th Manchester derby ended in a stalemate at Old Trafford.
Manchester United and Manchester City failed to muster a goal in their first Premier League clash of the season, though the result was still enough to send the latter back to the top of the table.
Jesse Lingard came the closest to breaking the deadlock, the Manchester United substitute hitting the bar in the closing stages.
Without injured duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva, the visitors barely threatened David de Gea's goal throughout the 90 minutes.
According to Squawka, the city rivals mustered a grand total of two shots on target between them.
While defenders were obviously on top, who else impressed in the 0-0 draw? Here, B/R breaks down the winners and losers.
Winners: Defenders from Argentina
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Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo impressed going forward in a Premier League win over Everton.
However, in the derby, the left-back showed his abilities in defence. He kept both Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas quiet.
In the first half, he made sure De Bruyne never had too much time so settle, and in the end, the Belgian was moved across to the left.
Similarly, Rojo's international team-mate Nicolas Otamendi was solid at the back for Manchester City.
The summer signing from Valencia caught the eye of Telegraph journalist Jason Burt, who tweeted, "Thought Otamendi in particular outstanding for Man City, who were disappointing going forward but good value for their point at OT."
According to Squawka, Otamendi made 10 clearances and three interceptions, won three tackles and also came out on top in two aerial duels.
Loser: Raheem Sterling
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Raheem Sterling was the star for Manchester City in their previous Premier League outing, scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 home win over Bournemouth.
However, the England international was a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, barely making an impact from the left wing.
He could have conceded a penalty in the first half, having brought down Ander Herrera.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal certainly felt it was a spot-kick, per chief sportswriter Ian Herbert of the Independent: "Van Gaal insists that [Manchester United] should have had a penalty when Sterling tangled with Herrera in the box. Sterling 'did not touch the ball.'"
Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini decided he had seen enough after 55 minutes. Sterling—who was booed by the home crowd due to his Liverpool connections—was substituted for Jesus Navas.
Winner: Anthony Martial
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Anthony Martial was the one bright spot in attack for Manchester United, even though he was asked to play out wide.
Stationed on the left wing, the Frenchman was fleet of foot and always threatening in possession.
His ability to coax in a defender before shifting the ball caused City's returning captain, Vincent Kompany, to pick up a booking in the first half.
Martial also created the best opportunity of the game. It was his pass, floated over the top of the Manchester City defence, that set up Jesse Lingard, who lifted the ball beyond goalkeeper Joe Hart but onto the crossbar.
So, why does Martial not get the chance to play down the middle? That is a question only his manager can answer.
Loser: Wayne Rooney
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The day after celebrating his 30th birthday, Wayne Rooney was unable to mark his personal milestone with a goal.
He did get something to remember the day, however—he suffered a cut to the back of his head following a collision with Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany in the first half.
After being stapled back together, Rooney returned. But the England captain created few real headaches for the visitors on a disappointing afternoon.
The stats did not make for good reading, per Football365 editor Daniel Storey: "55% passing accuracy for Wayne Rooney. No shots on target. No chances created. Lost possession five more times than any other player."
Winner: Manuel Pellegrini
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Manuel Pellegrini has been criticised in the past for failing to react to situations during big games.
At Old Trafford, though, he understood that a point was a positive result, particularly considering he was without the services of Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
When Manchester United threw on Marouane Fellaini in the second half, Pellegrini responded by substituting in defender Martin Demichelis to try to counter the Belgian's aerial threat.
Yaya Toure was the man to make way, and by then Raheem Sterling had already been withdrawn.
Pellegrini proved he wasn't afraid to take off big names in order to improve his team's chances of success.
Per the club's official website, the Manchester City boss was pleased with the result, if not the performance: "I am satisfied with a point, but I don't like to play in this way. That's [why] I say it's easy to play that way. It's important to have a point here, another point in the table, but I don't think it's the way the team must play."
Loser: Wilfried Bony
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Wilfried Bony isn't used to playing regularly for Manchester City.
He is second-choice for the centre-forward role when Sergio Aguero is fit, but the absence of the Argentina international has given Bony an extended chance up top.
While the former Swansea City striker was lively against Bournemouth, scoring twice in a 5-1 rout on home soil, he was disappointing in the derby.
Too often in the second half he failed to hold on to possession or allowed a Manchester United defender to jump in front of him as he lazily waited for the ball to reach his feet.
He was replaced in the closing stages, and Sam Homewood summed up his performance on Twitter: "If Bony qualifies for any performance-related pay this week, he's got the best contract in the world."
