The 196th Manchester derby between United and City ended in a 0–0 draw at Old Trafford on Premier League’s Super Sunday, leaving fans frustrated after a match that promised much but delivered little.
While Manchester City were in pursuit of league leaders Arsenal and aiming to revive an underwhelming season, both teams failed to display the intensity typically associated with one of football’s most heated rivalries.
The first half began with promise. City dominated early possession, with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden linking well in midfield.
De Bruyne had a chance in the 11th minute, cutting inside from the right before dragging his shot wide.
United responded with Bruno Fernandes curling an effort just past the goal after a quick move through midfield.
Despite a few glimpses of attacking, both sides lacked action.
City’s new signing, Omar Marmoush, brought in to fill the gap left by the injured Erling Haaland, showed flashes of energy but struggled to make his presence felt in front of the goal.
His best moment came in the 15th minute when he broke past United’s back line but dragged his shot wide of the far post.
City sliced through United’s midfield with a sharp forward pass that left Casemiro running in the 39th minute. Ilkay Gundogan had a chance, but his effort skimmed just wide of the far post, same for Casemiro a minute later.
At halftime, commentator and former footballer Roy Keane said: “There’s a real lack of quality, no atmosphere.”
City continued to dominate possession in the second half, finishing the match with 57% possession, but couldn’t find a way through United’s defence.
Marmoush drifted wide in search of space while Foden and De Bruyne struggled to get pass the opposing team. Foden broke United’s defence line in the 48th minute but failed to score.
United offered little going forward. Despite managing 13 shots across the match, only two were on target.
There were brief flashes of tension late in the game. Zirkzee was at the centre of one such moment, swinging a boot at a cross from teammate Victor Dorgu and clashing with City’s Bernardo Silva during the follow-through.
In the 55th minute, Manuel Ugarte fouled Silva and Rúben Dias tripped him after the whistle had gone.
Five yellow cards were issued in total: three for United (Yoro, Dalot and Mount) and two for City (Dias and Silva).
Substitutions, including Jack Grealish for City and Mason Mount for United, were made in the last 15 minutes of the game, raising the fans’ hopes with a last-minute score, but both teams ultimately fell short.
The game lacked action and several goal-scoring opportunities, with both sides struggling to score.
The result was met with boos from the crowd as supporters expressed their disappointment at a lacklustre performance.
For City, the draw means two dropped points in a close title race, while United’s hopes of climbing the table are looking less and less promising.
It was a derby that lacked energy and one that would likely be forgotten as quickly as it ended.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool suffered a 2–3 defeat to Fulham, Southampton edged closer to relegation with a 1–3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea played drew against Brentford.
Looking ahead to next weekend, United will face Newcastle United on 13 April and City will play against Crystal Palace on 12 April. Both teams will need to improve their performances to achieve their season goals.
See how the game unfolded with live reactions and updates on X below.
