Derbi Sin Goles! Manchester City and United Sign a 0-0 Amazing

Manchester United and Manchester City faced today, April 6, 2025, in a Manchester derby that ended in a 0-0 tie in Old Trafford, corresponding to the 31st of the Premier League. This result, which many analysts and fans have described as “discafed” and lack of quality, highlights the problems that both teams are facing this season.

Both teams came to the derbi at a complicated time. Manchester United, under the direction of Rúben Amorim, has had a disappointing season, with 13 defeats in the Premier League and occupying a position in the lower part of the table (13th with 38 points). Despite having achieved a 2-1 victory over the City in December, his recent 1-0 defeat against the Nottingham Forest revealed his problems both in attack and in defense. On the other hand, the Manchester City of Pep Guardiola, which is in 5th place with 52 points, is going through an irregular season, with only 3 victories in its last 11 out-of-home games and a defense that has shown vulnerabilities, allowing 15 goals in its last 6 meetings as visitors. Although they came from a 2-0 victory against the Leicester, Erling Haaland’s absence of injury and the announcement of Kevin De Bruyne’s departure at the end of the season have generated an atmosphere of uncertainty.

Alignments and formations

Manchester United (5-4-1):

• Portero: André Onana
• Defenses: Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez
• Campers: Alejandro Garnacho, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo
• Delantero: Joshua Zirkzee
• Substitutes used: Kobbie Mainoo (by Ugarte, min. 70), Rasmus Højlund (by Zirkzee, min. 80), Leny Yoro (by Martinez, min. 85).

Manchester City (4-2-3-1):

• Porter: Ederson
• Defense: Kyle Walker, Joško Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké
• Campers: Matthew Kovačić, İlkay Gündoğan, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne (as false 9), Phil Foden
• Delantero: Omar Marmoush
• Substitutes used: Jack Grealish (by Doku, min. 65), Bernardo Silva (by Gündoğan, min. 75), Savinho (by Foden, min. 80).

Summary of the party

The derbi was a rather boring party, with few clear opportunities and a slow pace that left the disappointed fans. Both teams seemed more concerned about not losing than seeking victory, which led to a goalless tie that does not help any in their goals.

• Part One: Manchester United opted for a defensive approach, aligning with a 5-4-1 to close spaces and take advantage of quick transitions with Garnacho and Diallo in the bands. Although the City had control of the ball (58.5%), it was not clear in the last third. The most outstanding opportunity was a shot by Garnacho that Ederson stopped without problems. In the first half, only 8 shots were recorded, one of the lowest figures in a Manchester derby since the 2003/04 season.
• Part two: The City showed a slight improvement, with Marmoush creating danger for the left band, but Onana stood firm on the few occasions that he had to intervene. Zirkzee had the best chance of the United at minute 88, but his shot was blocked by Ederson. In the end, the match ended with both teams accepting the draw, as Sky Sports mentioned: “The hug between the players at the end of the match shows that they are both satisfied with 0-0”.

Players scores

Manchester United:

• André Onana (7.5/10): Insurance under sticks, made two key stops before Marmoush. MVP of the party for its solidity.
• Matthijs de Ligt (7/10): Solid in defense, won important duels.
• Harry Maguire (7/10): He led the rope with 5 interceptions, although he had problems with Marmoush.
• Noussair Mazraoui (6.5/10): He served in defense, but did not carry in attack.
• Diogo Dalot (6/10): He tried to join the attack, but it was well controlled by Aké.
• Lisandro Martínez (6.5/10): Sign in the brand, although it had an exit error that almost cost a goal.
• Alejandro Garnacho (6.5/10): The most incisive of the United, but lacked precision in the last pass.
• Manuel Ugarte (6/10): It cut off the City game (11 defensive actions), but it was imprecise with the ball.
• Bruno Fernandes (6/10): He tried to lead the attack, but was not clear. He highlighted with 7 recoveries and 3 successful regates.
• Amad Diallo (6/10): Active by the band, but without generating real danger.
• Joshua Zirkzee (5.5/10): He failed a clear occasion and did not connect with his colleagues.
• Substitutes:
  • Kobbie Mainoo (6/10): Provided some control in the midfield.
  • Rasmus Højlund (5.5/10): Little impact after entering.
  • Leny Yoro (6/10): He entered to strengthen the defense.

Manchester City:

• Ederson (7/10): He made a key stop at Zirkzee in the end.
• Kyle Walker (6/10): He suffered with Garnacho, but he served in defense.
• Joško Gvardiol (6.5/10): Solid on the rope, he tried to progress with the ball.
• Manuel Akanji (6/10): Imprecise at the exit, but sign on the duels.
• Nathan Aké (6.5/10): He controlled Dalot well and was safe in defense.
• Matthew Kovačić (6/10): He tried to pace, but had no partners.
• İlkay Gündoğan (5.5/10): Very off, with only 33 touches in 75 minutes.
• Jeremy Doku (5.5/10): It did not overflow as usual, well controlled by Mazraoui.
• Kevin De Bruyne (5/10): As false 9, he did not find spaces and had little impact on his last derbi.
• Phil Foden (5.5/10): Far from its best level, without generating danger.
• Omar Marmoush (6.5/10): The most dangerous in the City, with 3 of the 5 shots at the door of the team, but could not define.
• Substitutes:
  • Jack Grealish (6/10): Provided some freshness, but no incidence.
  • Bernardo Silva (5.5/10): He entered late and made no difference.
  • Savinho (5.5/10): Little time to influence.

Technical and tactical analysis

Manchester United:

Amorim raised a very defensive 5-4-1, seeking to close spaces to the City and leave quickly in transitions with Garnacho and Diallo. The idea was to prevent the City from finding its inner game, especially with De Bruyne playing as false 9.

• Attack: The United showed some danger in transitions, but its lack of quality in the last third was evident. They have 9.14% conversion of shots this season, the third worst league, and today was no exception. Zirkzee and Fernandes did not connect, and Garnacho, although incisive, lacked precision.
• Defense: The 5 line was solid, with Maguire and De Ligt winning key duels. The United got his second consecutive match without joining the Premier League, something they didn’t get this season.
• Midfield: Ugarte and Fernandes focused more on destroying than creating. The lack of a creative midfielder limited the team’s offensive options.

Manchester City:

Guardiola opted for 4-2-3-1, with De Bruyne as false 9 because of the absence of Haaland. The City dominated possession (58.5%) and completed 338 passes in rival field (against the 174 of the United), but found no depth or clarity in its game.

• Attack: Without Haaland, the City lacked a benchmark in the area. Marmoush was the most dangerous, with 3 door shots and 100% precision in his 14 passes, but he had no support. Foden and De Bruyne were off, and Doku couldn’t overflow. The City created 2.5 clear occasions per game this season, but today did not generate any quality.
• Defense: The zaga was solid, with Gvardiol and Aké controlling the bands. However, the team allows 19 progressions per party in its last 4 meetings, a worrying fact that reflects its vulnerability.
• Mediocampo: Kovačić and Gündoğan did not find spaces in front of the lower block of the United. De Bruyne, as false 9, was well neutralized by the defense of 5 of the United, and the City had no fluidity in its inner game.

Party Poles

1. Possible penalty to Garnacho: In the 62nd minute, Garnacho fell into the area after a contact with Walker. The referee, John Brooks, did not point anything, and the VAR did not intervene. The repetitions showed a mild contact, but enough to generate debate among United fans.
2. Gestos of the referee: According to reports, Brooks made a gesture to Fernandes asking him to shut up after the protests for the possible penalti, which angered the United players and recalls similar incidents this season, such as that of Raphinha with the linier in the FC Barcelona match against the Betis.
3. Time added: The United protested for 4 minutes of time added, considering there were several interruptions. This generated frustration in Amorim, who mentioned it in his statements.

Statements by players and trainers

Ruben Amorim ( Manchester United trainer):

“I am happy with performance, but not with the result. We wanted to win, but we faced a very good team. We were more dangerous, we created more opportunities, but we lacked killer instinct to mark. When you play against the City, you know they want the ball, and you have to be patient with the pressure. We did well, we were organized, but we lacked quality up. ”

Pep Guardiola ( Manchester City trainer):

We had control of the game, but we didn’t manage to position ourselves well to hurt them. In the second part, we improve a bit, but it is always difficult to play here against a team that defends with such a compact 5-4-1. I’ve been facing defenses like this for many years, and we’ve always found a way to overcome them thanks to the quality of our players. However, today we were not up to take advantage of opportunities. The players tried, but we’re not at our best.

André Onana (MVP of Manchester United):

“It is an important point against a great team. They have a lot of quality, but we defend well. We had our opportunities, but we didn’t take advantage of them. Now it’s time to keep working to improve. ”

Omar Marmoush (player of Manchester City):

“It was a difficult game. We had the ball, but we didn’t find the spaces. The United defended well, and we weren’t fine. It’s a point, but we wanted more. ”

Reactions in sports journals and social networks

Sports journals:

• Sky Sports: “A boring derby that exposed the problems of both teams. The United and the City are far from their best level this season, and this goalless tie shows it. Garnacho, Ugarte and Zirkzee had the best occasions in the United, while Marmoush was the biggest threat in the City. ”
• The Athletic: “The last derby of Kevin De Bruyne was one to forget. There was no quality or emotion in Old Trafford. The City, with a midfield that once dominated, did not find its inner game. Guardiola, pained and worried, found no answers from the band. ”
• The Guardian: “A tie that does not satisfy anyone. The City of Guardiola continues to show signs of decline, and the United of Amorim has no quality to take advantage of it. The lack of Haaland was noticed, and De Bruyne fired from the derbi without leaving any trace. ”

Social networks:

• @FutbolBased: “A derby that one could not and the other would not win. The United showed more attitude, but lacked clarity. The City, with a midfield that once dominated, did not find its inner game. ”
• @MemoNavarro_: “Discafed derbi. A more solid United without a ball, but little clarity in transitions. And a City that did not find the inner game he was looking for with De Bruyne ‘false 9’. Incredible amount of comments we received. Thank you for your participation. ”
• @gallonocturno: “A boring tie in Manchester classic. City plays and plays. Inner game. No weight fronts. The United waits and strikes, but it doesn’t weigh up either. Nothing weird that ends in zero. How it is noted that De Bruyne is already out. It’s not the same. ”
• In general, social networks reflected disappointment. United fans highlighted the defensive solidity, but criticized the lack of goal, while the City fans were frustrated by the lack of ideas and the absence of Haaland. The hashtag #DeBruyneFarewell was a trend, with many regretting that his last derby was so poor.

Extended Analysis: The Bad streak of Manchester City and the Concern of Guardiola

Context of the Bad streak of Manchester City

Manchester City has had a 2024/25 season that will definitely want to forget. They have only managed to win 3 of their last 11 home games in the Premier League, and have suffered 6 defeats, matching the number of drops they had in their 37 combined previous matches. In addition, they have received 15 goals in their last 6 meetings as visitors, a worrying statistic for a team that used to be almost impenetrable under the direction of Guardiola. In the league, they currently occupy the 5th place with 52 points, quite away from the fight for the title, and their new goal is to secure a place in the Champions League, something that seemed like a dream just a year ago.

• Recent crisis: Between October 30 and December 26, 2024, the City won only 1 out of 13 matches in all competitions, a streak that ended its options of fighting for the title. Although they have improved slightly (10 points in their last 4 league games before this derbi), their game remains inconsistent.
• Haaland Absence: Haaland’s injury, which will keep it out several weeks, has left the City without its main offensive reference. Marmoush has scored 5 goals this season, but it doesn’t have the same impact.
• De Bruyne Departure: The confirmation that De Bruyne will leave the club at the end of the season has added uncertainty. Its performance this season (6 assists) is far from its best level, and today, in its last derby, it could not shine.
• Defensive problems: The City allows 19 party progressions in its last 4 meetings, a significant increase over 14.7 last season. In addition, individual errors, such as Gvardiol and Akanji, have been frequent.

Guardiola concern

Guardiola, described as “painted and concerned” during the game, faces one of the most complicated moments of his stage in the City. Their statements reflect frustration and resignation: “We are not good enough to punish them. I have been facing defenses like this for years, and we have always been able to overcome them, but not now.” This comment is concerned about the lack of quality and creativity in the team.

• Lack of ideas: Guardiola has experienced formations (4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1) and positions, such as De Bruyne’s as false 9, but the team finds no fluidity. The absence of Foden at its best level (0 goals and 1 assistance at the Premier League this season) and the lack of a front center after the injury of Haaland have limited offensive options.
• Mental waste: Guardiola has mentioned on several occasions this season that his players are “physically and mentally exhausted.” The streak of 1 victory in 13 matches between October and December seems to have left a psychological footprint on the team.
• Pressure for the Champions League: Although the 5th post probably classifies the Champions League thanks to the UEFA coefficient of England, the City is at risk of being overtaken by the Newcastle, which can advance it if it wins its next match. Guardiola knows: “We want to classify the Champions League, that’s the target now.”

Key factors of bad streak

1. Absence of key players: Haaland’s injury and De Bruyne and Foden’s low performance have weakened the team. In addition, Rodri, who last year was the teacher of progressive passes, has not been on the same level this season.
2. Lack of creativity: City has gone from creating 2.8 clear occasions per game to 4.0 in its last 4 meetings, but its conversion has been poor (13.8% this season compared to 28.6% in its best moments). Today, they did not generate any clear occasion.
3. Defensive problems: The defense, which used to be a wall, now allows more progressions and makes individual mistakes. Gvardiol and Akanji have not reached the level of Rodri at the balloon exit.
4. Psychological waste: The negative streak and the pressure not to meet the expectations have affected the team’s morals. Guardiola, known for its intensity, seems to be struggling to find solutions.

Perspectives for Manchester City

With 8 league games to play and a semi-final of the FA Cup against the Nottingham Forest, the City still has goals to meet. However, its priority is to secure a position in the Champions League, something that seemed guaranteed a few months ago. To achieve this, Guardiola needs:

• Recover Haaland: Your return will be key to improving offensive effectiveness.
• Resting key players: From Bruyne and Foden need to regain their best level, and players like Grealish and Savinho must take a step forward.
• Reinforce defense: Defensive solidarity must be a priority again. Gvardiol and Akanji need more consistency.
• Pressure management: Guardiola must work on the team’s mentality to overcome this crisis.

Comparison with Manchester United

The United is also going through a bad time, with 13 defeats in the league and a position on the table (13th) reflecting its crisis. However, his situation is a little different: Amorim is in a phase of transition, trying to implement his philosophy, and today’s even disappointing tie showed an improvement in defense. The United needs to win the Europa League (they will face Lyon in quarter finals) to qualify the Champions League, as the domestic track seems almost impossible.

Conclusion

The 0-0 tie between Manchester United and Manchester City clearly reflected the problems faced by both teams: a lack of quality in attack, fear of losing and a palpable confidence crisis. André Onana took the title of MVP of the party thanks to his decisive stops, while the City, despite having the possession of the ball, failed to find the way to the goal. Disputes, such as the possible criminality of Garnacho, only added more frustration to a derbi that will not be remembered. Guardiola, visibly concerned, has the challenge of revitalizing a team that seems to have lost its essence, while Amorim, although he showed a solid defense, urgently needs to find solutions in the attack. Both teams have a lot of work to do if they want to achieve their goals this season.