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Manchester United and Manchester City played a tedious 0-0 draw at Old Trafford that did little favors for either team if they aspire to return to the title race.
Host United could be quite a bit happier with their point, one that will at least temporarily stop questions about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future following his Champions League exit midweek. Certainly City would have reason to be disappointed in both the result and the passive way in which they approached their task.
Read the key talking points of the game below.
Safety comes first The city leaves much to be desired
There was something of Spain’s latest conquest of Euro 2012 in this City team and the tedious dominance they applied. Perhaps even that is a generous assessment because while Vicente Del Bosque’s team may not have earned universal admiration, it was always felt that he would manipulate the games to his advantage, if only by boring his opponents into submission.
At Old Trafford, City was more sterile than clinical. In the first half they created perhaps three major scoring opportunities, two of which incisive Kevin De Bruyne passed for balls. First, Raheem Sterling edged past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and sent more United defenders going down only for their combined mass to block their shot before a few minutes later Riyad Mahrez got too close to David De Gea.
Gabriel Jesús turned down the best chance of the half, failing to make the right connection with a high pass from Mahrez, but perhaps he could understand his waste when he had been so isolated.
For much of the game, City alternated possession between the back four, Fernandinho and Rodri, perhaps fearful of what might happen if they over-engaged and left room for Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood to exploit.
The truth is that City at its best press opponents with an intensity and ferocity that makes it much more likely that they will win the ball high up on the field than they will be hit by the long ball at the top. That this team is not chasing possession the way it used to – curious this time when Jesús, described by Guardiola as the best striker in the world – rather means that they have to keep more numbers in reserve.
As such, City relied more than ever on Guardiola’s tenure on moments of individual brilliance. That’s not the worst strategy when you can call on De Bruyne, Mahrez and Sterling, but it is perhaps disappointing that this team has played less as a collective than in the past.
Solskjaer is right in his tactics … at first
The most consistent and damning criticism leveled at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the past year has been that his team does not have a background, much less a philosophy, that is identifiable as his. Players come and go, flop back and forth with no idea what their role is, and things inevitably break down, even against opponents United should beat.
Perhaps that is why Old Trafford strength has been anything but this season, when the only team they have beaten at home in the Premier League has been West Bromwich Albion.
However, in a way, games against players like City suit Solskjaer. Basic principles of course help, but when faced with a team that is largely superior to your grand plans, go out the window to tailor a team to do the most damage to your opponent.
To Solskjaer’s credit, they did so largely with a curious 4-2-3-1 that saw Paul Pogba operate as left winger and Bruno Fernandes backing Marcus Rashford down the middle. What initially appeared to be a diamond that would invite City to defeat the flanks was somewhat more cunning.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pep Guardiola
Building the game in the considerable space behind Riyad Mahrez, Pogba was often the man tasked with moving the ball from the United half to the City half, something he did quite impressively. Certainly a player whose agent started the week saying it was time to part ways did not appear to have retired. His cunning overhead passes appeared to be the best avenue for the hosts to get a counter attack or force a set piece, their only realistic avenues to a goal.
It didn’t quite work out, but there were times when they were just one pass away, especially when Fernandes made a pass through Rashford after a brilliant set-up play under pressure from City.
He felt even more curious that when the second half began, Fernandes drifted to the left with Pogba in the frame. Defensively, the change offered more drag with the Frenchman more naturally adapted to sit close to Fernandinho and Rodri, but United lost their preparation in wider areas and Fernandes’ willingness to test City’s defensive line alongside Rashford.
By the time Solskjaer backed down, much of the momentum United had had been lost, particularly with the introduction of Ferran Torres asking Luke Shaw for more.
Notable performances
Kyle Walker: This time, VAR saved their blushes, but Walker continues to make awkward comeback tackles like the one that would have otherwise given Marcus Rashford a penalty early in the first half. He also struggled to advance in attack with Pogba and Fernandes stationed on his flank. CLASSIFICATION: 3
Harry Maguire: If there is one type of game that suits the United captain, it could be this: backs to walls, defending deep, beating undersized forwards. He did it quite impressively, leading his team in interceptions and blocked shots, winning all of his aerial duels, and making several major punts and tackles. CLASSIFICATION: 7
Gabriel Jesus: One moment crystallized the doubts that Jesus’ critics have about whether he can really be an elite center forward. The ball smashed into the Brazilian from behind the United defense and, although the angle was awkward for a first shot, it was curious that he chose to shield it from De Gea and set up De Bruyne for a more difficult shot. He seems to lack the relentless streak that makes him the truly top-tier forward. CLASSIFICATION: 4
Image of the Premier League
United are seventh in the Premier League with 20 points, four less than league leaders Tottenham. The city is just a point and a place behind.
Recap our live coverage below.
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
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