Manchester United and Manchester City played non -inspiring 0-0 Draw In Old Trafford on Sunday in the game, which showed why both teams take difficult seasons.
However, there were few clear chances within 90 minutes, although Joshua Zirkzee and Omar Marmoush forced good savings in front of the goalkeeper Éderson and André OnanaRespectively, in the second half. While Man City had more time to hold, Man United had more shots and overshadowed the expected metric of the target.
Their best moment entered the opening minute when Alejandro Garnacho found space behind the defense of the city to be reduced Ruben Dias on the edge of the penalty area.
The United Ruben Amorim manager had a reason to be happier than the Guardiola City, especially after the promising first half. The point means that the city remains fifth in the table – a potentially final place of the Champions League – with the remaining seven games. United remains in 13th place, seven more points from the upper half. – Rob Dawson
Two poor teams offer an unfortunate edition of Manchester Derby
This has been charged for the most important Manchester derby for years and it lived (anti-) hype.
These are two teams that come to the end of the miserable seasons and served with the performance to coincide. It looked very soon as if they were both satisfied with the point, and that’s exactly what they got.
The hugs and smiles shared between the two sets of players at the end were proof that no one had left too disappointed. Manchester Derby decided in April 2012 Premier League The title race, but that was the world far from the intensity of that day at the Etihad stadium 13 years ago.
For Manchester teams, this could be the worst season in more than 30 years. The 1990-91 campaign was the last time the United and City ended up for the top four in the highest flight of English football. The last time there was no Manchester team in the Champions League in 1995-96.
These two teams are expected to return to the biggest trophies competition, but it is necessary to do a job to return to the top. – Dawson
AMORIM gives one eye on Lyon
Quickly rejected the proposal before the kick -off that the quarterfinals of Europa League first leg against Lyon On Thursday it was bigger than the derby, but in the end Amorim showed exactly what he considers more important.
Harry Maguire He did not want to get off early in the second half and notify AMORIM on the touch line. The head of United did not care and made a gesture of his hand to “replace” before heading back to his place on the bench.
It was a clear message that the decision was not for the debate. Maguire is just coming back from the injury as AS Matthijs de ligt It will currently be discouraged, it will be necessary against Lyon. In Amorim’s eyes, it is not worth the risk of holding it against the city.
You can understand its logic. The Premier League, which disappears in the lower half of the table, is over. But if they win the European League, United gets into a trophy and qualifies into the Champions League.
It would put a completely different spin on the campaign. Expect AMORIM to maintain more fresh players for Europe, the closer they get to the finals. – Dawson
HOPLund still does not reach since he joined Man United
Rasmus Hojund lasted 71 minutes of this Manchester derby before being replaced by replacement Joshua ZirkzeeBut the united forwards could have taken off at any time before.
The 22 -year -old man touched the ball only 14 times against the city and most of them had no consequences. He certainly did not threaten to score a goal, but in the last 24 performances for United-Leicester’s United-Faculty, he would think he would find the back of the network against the champions.
But while the healing lack of goals was a long -term problem for United, it is his versatile game that would be the same interest. HOPLUND, signature £ 70 million from Atalanta In August 2023, it simply lacks any presence or game intelligence and offers nothing beyond honorary effort and running, usually down the dead ends.
When United disintegrated forward, healing the limitation meant that he would either run towards the ball – and reduced the space for himself and the ball – or in line, and offered a small movement for the dangerous area. The best attackers cause their defenders to move forward in all directions, then peel off to the rear column. This is designed to create space for themselves, but also their teammates. But healing did none of this.
Obviously, he must be better trained to choose his runs better, but maybe he simply does not have the ability to follow the lessons. But for £ 70 million, he should know how to play his role as a forward center. – Mark Ogden
As it fights with the city, also Foden
This time last year, Phil Foot was on the course to win the Footballer of the Year Award England and the fourth subsequent Premier League Pro title Manchester City Because of the incredible season that brought 27 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. But a year away is the 24 -year -old shadow of his former self and was replaced in this game after another unnecessary performance.
Foden had a poor Euro 2024 with England and was not the same player from the tournament Germany. His season was influenced by disease and injuries, and perhaps he would not have enough rest between the euro 2024 and this season, but there is no doubt that this time he is fighting for something like his best form.
So far, this season has managed 10 goals and five assists in all competitions. Respect for average players in medium teams, but nowhere near Fodena, and could end this season with its worst characters because in 2019–2020 scored eight goals and registered nine assists.
In the best case, Foden is the winner of the world level match, but this season was not in this bracket for the city. – Ogden
Time is suitable for de bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne He was open to stay in the city before the club bosses decided that it was time for the Belgian to move on.
It is never easy to say goodbye to the legend, especially when they have been one of the best Premier League midfielders for decades. Sitting in a box of director Old Trafford, outgoing football director TXIKI Begiristain and his replacement, Hugo Viana, can be sure that they have done the right thing.
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Michallik: de Bruyne was the best in the world at its peak
Janusz Michallik gives out the highest praise for the Heritage of the Premier League Kevin de Bruyne when the midfielder announces his plan to leave Manchester City.
It was a surprise that De Bruyne began against United. It was his first start of the Premier League in more than a month and only the second from 1 February. It is said that even in the fight against the city of Guardiola, she was constantly overlooking the player who was once his star husband.
His performance against United was a picture of his season. At the age of 33, his legs are not what they were. It meant that he was unable to go into space with the ball he could have in his primary.
Subsequently, his influence in the games was reduced. Guardiola brought Jéééy dock and Jack Grealish Soon in the second half and sometimes it could be de Bruyne, who was sacrificed. Forever the city will be great, but it’s time to go. – Dawson
The aging middle field emphasizes that the city of Big Man Rebuild ahead
Manchester City Midfield Three against United of Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan and Mateo Kovacic had a combined age of 97 years, with an attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva Also entitled to the status of thirty years at the age of 31.
HARDE, Huncansan and Bernardo They were all the key characters in the successful period of the city under the Guardiola while Kovacic brought experience with trophy victory Real Madrid and Chelsea Since arrival to Etihad two years ago. However, none of them could have been described as the future, and de Bruyne’s announcement on Friday, to leave the city, when its contract expanded in the summer, was an inevitable reconstruction in the club.
Gundogan and Kovacic should also be replaced even if Rod After the release of his crossed binding injury, he quickly returns to the PEAK form. Nico gonzalezSigned in January from Porto, it is the first step towards transforming the center of the field, but will require a large investment in the group to get back to the level of the Champions League victory.
Liverpool Two years ago they reworked their center and ArsenalThe axis of Martin Odegarad and Declan rice It will serve the club well for at least the next five years. The city had almost ten years since De Bruyne, Gundogan and Bernard, but they need their replacement to be equally successful, and it will be a difficult task for the new sports director Hugo Viana to withdraw. – Ogden
