Manchester City’s bid for Champions League qualification remains uncertain after a lacklustre 0-0 draw in Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
United edged the contest in terms of chances but were unable to complete a first league double over their rivals since the 2019/20 season.
The draw keeps City in fifth place in the Premier League—a position that is likely to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, but their place is far from guaranteed.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men are just two points above Newcastle, who have two games in hand on City.
A point edges United up to 13th.
Never in the Premier League era have neither City or United finished in the top four but that record is under severe threat in the coming months.
A contest devoid of quality, intensity or fight summed up a dreadful season for both sides of the Manchester divide.
After a record four consecutive league titles, City’s form has fallen off a cliff to leave them at risk of not making the top four for the first time since 2009/10.
United’s only chance of Champions League qualification is by winning the Europa League as they are set for their worst ever Premier League finish.
The Red Devils have shown flashes of improvement this week but also failed to score in their 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to underline their problem in front of goal.
Kevin De Bruyne started just days after announcing this will be his final season at City.
But the Belgian’s performance was the latest example that he is now a shadow of the figure Guardiola said will be remembered as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
City had the majority of the ball, but United were the more threatening side on the counter-attack in a pedestrian first half.
Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte all failed to make the most of half-chances to get a strike off inside the City box.
Phil Foden had the game’s best chance just seconds after half-time, but fluffed his lines with only Andre Onana to beat.
The tempo picked up slightly after the break, with Omar Marmoush forcing a sharp save from André Onana with a fierce strike from a corner.
The introduction of Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount in the final 20 minutes injected some energy into United’s attack, and both came close to grabbing a winner. Zirkzee’s low drive was parried by Ederson, before Rico Lewis made a crucial block to deny Mount on the rebound.
There were smiles and a warm embrace between Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim at full-time, but the friendly exchange masked the frustration both managers will feel after a lacklustre display in what has been a disappointing season for their respective teams.
