Manchester United and Manchester City couldn’t be separated in timid affair
The Manchester Derby was one to be forgotten as both sides drew a blank at Old Trafford this afternoon, mustering up just two shots on target between them.
After Arsenal‘s 2-1 win against Everton yesterday, both sides fell down in the Premier League table ahead of the game, but both could have gone top with the correct result, and despite drawing, the point is enough to put City back on top.
United went into the game knowing if they could win by three-clear goals, they’d leap from fourth to first, while Manuel Pellegrini‘s side knew just a point would be enough.
Lack of Action
Sadly for a match summary, the game was very limited with chances, as it took 82-minutes for the first shot on target to be registered and that was a Jesse Lingard effort.
Joe Hart was forced into a very smart save near the end of the game however, but he got down well to deny Chris Smalling.
The point puts City back on top, level on points with Arsenal on 22, while United stay fourth on 20 points.
Match Reaction
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling: “It is a bit of a disappointment but I feel like we played well over the 90 minutes.
“It’s one of those. If we can play like that on a regular basis we will win more than we lose.”
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: “It was a very tough game for both sides. We were unlucky, they were lucky.
“We had 90 minutes control of the game against a side like Manchester City. I cannot complain. But you want to win and we did not.
“We should have had a penalty on Ander Herrera. It is easy to see for me but I have a replay. The referee has one second.
“I always say we need the modern technology but I am the only one in the desert calling for it.”
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on BBC Match of the Day; “I am proud of my players. They have been concentrating and focussed for 90 minutes.
“We didn’t create much but City adapted their line-up to our line-up. It was tough.
“We had a long journey back from Moscow so I am very pleased.”
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany: “I don’t know how it looked from the outside but it didn’t feel like a dynamic derby.
“Both teams looked defensively solid.
“Everyone knows how much this game means to me. I was disappointed to be left out of the team but it is all about opinions. There is no problem with me and the manager.”
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart: “It’s a performance that I’m glad we have in the locker but I’d prefer it if we didn’t have to use it. We came wanting three points but respect to Manchester United, we had to defend well and limited them to two half chances.
“We don’t want praise, we want points. We are back on top of the league now and we can hopefully kick on.”
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini: “It is a good point. If you can’t win, then don’t lose it. People have said that we can’t defend and in the second half we did very well.
“We lost so much possession of the ball and we had to concentrate. United had two late chances but overall it was close.
“I am satisfied with a point but I don’t like to play this way.
“We are back at the top of the table.
“It was a very tactical game. I prefer to play in another way but we defended well.
“Unfortunately for the fans it was not a very attractive game. We are two creative teams but we could not do it today.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
