Manchester United and Manchester City had a disappointing 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. This is a performance that shows why both teams are having a difficult season.
There were few clear chances throughout the 90 minutes, although Joshua Zirkzee and Omar Marmoush forced goalkeeper Ederson and Andre Onana to save in the second half. While The Citizens had more possession, the Red Devils had more shots and overshadowed the expected goals.
Man United's best moment came in the first minute, when Alejandro Garnacho found space behind Man City's defense but was fouled by Ruben Dias right at the edge of the penalty area.
M.U coach Ruben Amorim has reason to be happier than Man City's Guardiola, especially after a promising performance in the first half. A point means the Citizens are still fifth in the table with seven games remaining. Man United are still in 13th place, 7 points behind the top half.
This Manchester derby is considered the Manchester derby with the worst professional quality in many years. And in reality, this is completely true.
These are two teams entering the disastrous end of the season, and they have had matching performances. From the start, it seems like both of them will be satisfied with 1 point, and that is exactly what they get.
The hugs and smiles between the two teams at the end of the match are evidence that no one is too disappointed when the siren ends 90 minutes. The Manchester derby in April 2012 decided the Premier League championship race, but this was a world different from the intensity at Etihad 13 years ago.
This could be the worst season for Manchester sides in more than 30 years. The 1990-1991 season was the last time both Man United and Man City finished outside the top 4 in the Premier League. The last time no Manchester team competed in the Champions League was in 1995-1996.
It is expected that these two teams will eventually return to compete for the biggest titles, but they both need to make efforts to return to the top.
Amorim quickly rejected his opinion before the match began that the quarter -final first leg of the Europa League with Lyon is more important than the Manchester derby. But in the end, the reality on the field proved that Amorim was wrong.
Harry Maguire did not want to leave the pitch early in the second half and told Amorim on the touchline. The Man United captain was not interested and signaled by hand to "change players" before returning to his bench seat.
That is a clear message that this decision is not an issue for debate. Maguire has only just returned from injury, and with Matthijs de Ligt currently sidelined, he will need to play against Lyon. In Amorim's view, keeping Maguire in the match against Man City is not worth taking any risks.
Struggling in the bottom half of the rankings, the Premier League season is almost over for the "Red Devils". But if they win the Europa League, Man United will have a trophy and qualify for the Champions League next season.
This would be a completely different turning point for their campaign. Amorim's expectation is to keep more fresh players for the European arena as they get closer to the final.
Meanwhile, Man City's midfield trio against Man United include Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic, with a total age of 97. Attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva is also 31 years old.
De Bruyne, Gundogan and Bernardo have all been key figures in Man City's successful period under Guardiola, while Kovacic has brought trophy experience from Real Madrid and Chelsea since arriving at the Etihad two years ago. But none of them can be described as the future. De Bruyne's recent announcement of leaving the Etihad is the start of an inevitable reconstruction at the club.
Gundogan and Kovacic also need to be replaced, even as Rodri quickly regains his peak form next season after a cruciate ligament injury. Nico Gonzalez, signed from Porto in January, is the first step in reshaping the midfield. However, a large investment in the squad will be needed to bring Man City's midfield back to Champions League level.
Liverpool reformed their midfield two years ago, while Arsenal's Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice axes will serve the club well for at least the next five years. Man City have had nearly a decade with De Bruyne, Gundogan or Bernardo, and they need worthy replacements. That will be a difficult task for the new sporting director Hugo Viana.
