Manchester United 0–0 Manchester City Player Ratings: Kevin De Bruyne’s Last Manchester Derby Ends in a Goalless Draw

Manchester United shared the spoils with Manchester City after a goalless draw in the 196th Manchester Derby at Old Trafford in a dull derby match. There was an air of emotion as Kevin de Bruyne just confirmed before the game that he was going to leave Manchester City at the end of the season. However, he couldn’t inspire his side to a winner as Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho came the closest for the hosts.

Manchester United were rooted to the 13th spot and were facing an uphill task to finish in the top half of the table. Standing in their way were cross-town rivals Manchester City. Ruben Amorim didn’t stray away from his favoured back three as he named an attacking lineup to exploit City’s weak transition defending.

Kevin de Bruyne lined up in a Manchester Derby for the last time as he was departing them at the end of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side was rediscovering its form right before the business end of the season. They needed to finish strongly to get Champions League football next season.

Manchester United made a thundering start to the game as Alejandro Garanco ran onto a Rasmus Hojlund pass and was bearing down on the goal. Ruben Dias made a desperate tackle to earn a yellow card and present the hosts with a glorious opportunity. However, Bruno Fernandes failed to take advantage of the resulting free kick. It set the tone for the game as Manchester City took charge, and United looked set to break on counters every time.

Manchester United played themselves into trouble with some poor passes while playing out and making some rash tackles. However, they did catch City’s fragile midfield out by some fast transitions. Garnacho, along with Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu, made good runs on the wings and cut back to create some chances.

Manchester City came the closest through Phil Foden, and De Bruyne tested their luck from outside the box. However, they weren’t able to create some clear opportunities, as Omar Marmoush failed to be on the same wavelength as the creators behind him. It led to United growing in confidence as they consistently caught Manchester City napping on the break.

The first half ended goalless as both sides struggled to break the deadlock. After an inspired team talk from Ruben Amorim, Manchester United came flying out of the blocks. The Red Devils looked the better side in the opening quarter of the second half as they made City look very ordinary. Fernandes and Garnacho ran ragged with their chance creation.

Manchester City did take control for a brief period as Andre Onana made a fine save. After the 70th-minute mark, both sides seemed to have given up a push for the win. They were happy to play around for a point each. There was a half-hearted penalty claim from Manchester United, as Casemiro was taken down in the box. It was waved away, and the game slowly concluded goalless.

Manchester City remain 5th, failing to take advantage of Chelsea’s draw earlier in the day. The Red Devils, meanwhile stay 13th as hopes of a top half finish fade away quickly. The Red Devils travel away to Lyon for a Europa League clash, and Manchester City host Crystal Palace in the league next.

Here are the Manchester United vs Manchester City Player Ratings.

Manchester United Player Ratings

GK – Andre Onana – 7/10

Made some routine saves in the first half before making a sensational stop in the second half with the sunlight beating down on his face.

CB – Noussair Mazraoui – 6.5/10

Recovered well after midweek’s debacle against Nottingham Forest by keeping Marmoush at bay.

CB – Harry Maguire – 6/10

Started in his favourite central position, but his passing was very poor. He was replaced before the hour mark as Amorim needed more progressive passing from his side.

CB – Leny Yoro – 6.5/10

Dealt well with Foden as he defended the wide channels excellently. Consistent game time is allowing him to improve very quickly.

RWB – Diogo Dalot – 7/10

Showed a lot of attacking promise as he made a lot of bamboozling runs on the right wing. Made very good contributions defensively as well.

CM – Casemiro – 7.5/10

He made a lot of dangerous slides early in the game. But did recover later. Joined the attack from the edge of the box by taking some shots.

CM – Manuel Ugarte – 7/10

Similar to Casemiro, he struggled a lot in the initial phases of the game with his possession play. His teammates helped him regain his confidence and improve immediately.

LWB – Patrick Dorgu – 7/10

Had a great chance to open the scoring but took an unwanted touch on his weaker foot as the chance went away. Kept delivering plenty of good crosses for his side.

RF – Bruno Fernandes – 7.5/10

Started the game with a blocked free kick. He was trying throughout the game to force the issue, but he was handled by City well.

ST – Rasmus Hojlund – 6.5/10

Showed improved play with his back to the goal. Pinned Gvardiol down and allowed his fellow forwards to come into the frame.

LF – Alejandro Garnacho – 7/10

Provided United with an exciting outlet on the left as he created chance after chance. Tormented Nunes and must have had a goal or an assist to show for.

Sub – Victor Lindelof – 6/10

Roped in before the hour mark to assert some dominance with his passing.

Sub – Mason Mount – 6/10

Sub – Joshua Zirkzee – 6/10

Manager – Ruben Amorim – 7/10

His side started the game on the back foot by playing on the break. But a very positive halftime talk led to his side playing more positively. However, they couldn’t get a go-ahead goal.

Manchester City Player Ratings

GK – Ederson – 6/10

He was very lucky that United failed to get their good chances on target. Involved in ball playing as usual.

RB – Matheus Nunes – 6/10

Garancho gave him a hard time as he was caught out of position multiple times. Dorgu could’ve scored in the first half, as there was no cover on that right-hand side.

CB – Ruben Dias – 6.5/10

Made a rash tackle before the fans barely caught the start of the game and went into the book. Had to tread carefully later on.

CB – Josko Gvardiol – 6.5/10

Tried to stick with Rasmus Hojlund and also defend the channel as O’Reilly set on his attacking adventures. Did a fairly good job.

LB – Nico O’Reilly – 6.5/10

Given the attacking license to make some good runs. The youngster displayed some nice ideas while linking up with his forwards.

DM – Mateo Kovacic – 6/10

Played as the deepest midfielder and demanded the ball quite a lot to make. However, he couldn’t provide the control Pep Guardiola craved.

CM – Ilkay Gundogan- 6/10

He was very aggressive out of possession as he made a lot of tackles to win the ball back. Joined the attack by taking up some neat positions, but couldn’t force the issue.

CM – Bernardo Silva – 5/10

Started in midfield and had to do a lot of dropping in with centre-backs. He was fragile in tackles as City struggled to defend the breaks. Got a yellow card for a poor challenge in the second half.

CAM – Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5/10

Had a lot of freedom to roam the pitch to create openings. There was a great run from inside his half, but he couldn’t find the killer pass like he used to.

CAM – Phil Foden – 6/10

Started the game with his trademark cut in and shot. That effort was narrowly wide of the target. He struggled to replicate his previous derby heroics.

ST – Omar Marmoush – 6.5/10

Struggled to get going in the attack as he missed that telepathic connection with his new teammates. Had a half shot blocked in the first half and nothing else to show for.

Sub – Jeremy Doku – 6/10

Sub – Jack Grealish – 6/10

Sub – Rico Lewis – 6/10

Manager – Pep Guardiola – 6/10

His lineup choices were puzzling as young players like Nico Gonzalelz, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho were all on the bench as out-of-form senior pros took the centre stage yet again. The bland first half display added more proof and he needed to fix it in the second half.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Bruno Fernandes