Manchester derby ends goalless
Manchester United had a good penalty award overturned as their derby with Manchester City ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.
United were awarded a spot activate the 48th minute when Kyle Walker kicked Marcus Rashford's foot in the box however the decision was over-ruled just after VAR located the United striker have been within an offside position.
The effect left United in seventh put on 20 points with City one point behind in eighth after 11 games.
Pacesetters Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool experience 24 points from 11 matches before they play in Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively on Sunday.
With no fans in the chilly Old Trafford due to COVID-19 restrictions, the passion and energy of the Manchester derby was absent but United will probably be the happier of the two teams.
After their Champions Group exit at the hands of RB Leipzig on Tuesday, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a need to avoid the sort of result that may have raised serious concerns about his role.
The Norwegian create his team in one of the more conservative of his tactical variations with merely two strikers, three mainly defensive midfielders and Bruno Fernandes charged with creating openings.
If the work was to ensure that United restricted City and ground out a creditable draw then your structure worked -- regardless if it was far from thrilling for the fans watching in the home.
United were disciplined, stayed tight at the trunk and kept their shape across the field, departing Solskjaer with a lot of satisfaction by the end of a testing week.
"In my period against Manchester City that is the best performance we've had. Not the very best result but the best performance," explained the United boss.
City had created the very best prospect up to the penalty incident -- a Riyad Mahrez shot saved by David De Gea found in the 35th minute with Kevin De Bruyne struggling to capitalise on the loose ball.
United's best option came in the 54th when Paul Pogba place Rashford in on the remaining however the striker slipped as he shot harmlessly wide and their 1st effort on goal did not come until a tame attempt direct at City keeper Ederson from Fernandes in the 88th.
City lacked the sparkle and shine of their finest performances, with the utilization of Rodrigo and Fernandinho due to a pair of keeping midfielders indicating supervisor Pep Guardiola was as well unwilling to choose bust found in this fixture.
It was the sixth game found in a row, in the group and Europe, where City had kept a good tidy sheet and Guardiola was pleased to have limited United.
"They score when they can run but we managed them effectively," said the Spaniard, who conceded that the celebration was far from what the fixture usually presents.
"It isn't a derby, it will be distinct with the people and perhaps they pushed more. It is different every week without the persons," he said.
