Goalless Draw Between Manchester Rivals Underscores Summer Revamp Urgency
City did threaten twice at Old Trafford through Omar Marmoush, but the Egypt forward could not beat United goalkeeper Andre Onana on either occasion.
United created a succession of half-chances. But once Alejandro Garnacho had been sent sprawling by Ruben Dias on the edge of the City box in the opening seconds, a familiar story unfolded. As on so many occasions this season, Ruben Amorim’s side did not seem like they believed they could score.
The nearest they came was 13 minutes from time when substitute Joshua Zirkzee turned a Patrick Dorgu cross goalwards, but Ederson was able to push the Dutchman’s effort to safety.
A draw keeps United anchored in the middle of the lower half of the table, but City are now sweating on a Champions League spot, remaining in fifth, which would almost certainly be enough, but with Newcastle two points behind them with two games in hand.
Arguably, the most inspiring moment of the whole afternoon came before kick-off when United captain Bruno Fernandes accompanied seven-year-old mascot Bobby Moore from Belfast onto the pitch.
The Portugal international invited Moore to Old Trafford after seeing a video of the youngster celebrating his goal in a previous Manchester derby. In the process, Moore became United’s first-ever wheelchair/powerchair-using mascot
Man Utd’s scoring woes continue
As at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, there was a lot to like about United’s performance.
Garnacho’s early charge downfield set the tone for the first half hour as the home side passed the ball with purpose and repeatedly found players in encouraging positions close to the City area.
But, as was the case at the City Ground, where they lost 1-0, they failed to turn those positions into a meaningful threat.
Garnacho got a header all wrong, Dorgu didn’t trust himself to shoot with his right foot and fired wide with his left, and Manuel Ugarte couldn’t keep his balance long enough to send a far post effort goalwards.
Rasmus Hojlund started but didn’t have a chance of note. Zirkzee had one, but Ederson was equal to it. United have now failed to score in 11 of their 31 league games this season.
It has been said so many times before. Manchester United needs a finisher.
The difference with Tuesday was that at Forest, they gave away a sloppy goal. On this occasion, apart from Onana flapping at one cross, their defence remained secure.
United are now going to record their lowest-ever Premier League points total – although as they needed to win their final eight games to avoid that fate, they probably knew that anyway. In the recent match at Old Trafford, City had a couple of chances through Omar Marmoush, but unfortunately, he couldn’t find the back of the net against United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana. United, on the other hand, struggled to create significant opportunities. The draw means United remains stuck in the lower half of the table, while City is now concerned about maintaining a Champions League spot, sitting in fifth place, just ahead of Newcastle, who are two points behind with two games in hand.
One of the most heartwarming moments of the day happened before the match began when United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, walked out onto the pitch with seven-year-old mascot Bobby Moore from Belfast. Fernandes had seen a video of Bobby celebrating one of his goals in a past Manchester derby and decided to invite him to Old Trafford. This also marked a significant moment, as Bobby became United’s first-ever mascot who uses a wheelchair or powerchair.
