A point against Manchester City is no bad thing but most will be disappointed by an uninspiring and lethargic display from Manchester United on Saturday evening. The 0-0 stalemate does keep United above their rivals in the Premier League.
Both sides had chances to take the game away from their opponents but it was a dull affair at Old Trafford deserving of little recollection in future. There were a few lessons to be learned, though.
No papering over the cracks: a bad performance from United
It was a draw against a good team but that shouldn’t paper over the cracks. This is a missed opportunity from United and in the face of an average City team, it should be seen as a bad performance. It is telling that United’s best players on the day were in defence
There’s no real crisis at United. Solskjaer’s team are four points off first after that draw and are ahead of City. It’s a safe result. Perhaps that sums Solskjaer up; a safe pair of hands but never willing to break the boundaries.
Solskjaer scared to lose
Manchester United had the better of the first half against a lethargic and unimpressive City. They came out of the break and started fine but still failed to take advantage of City’s mediocrity. Solskjaer’s lack of action in terms of changes allowed City not only back into the game but into control past the 65th-minute mark.
It needed a proactive manager to make changes while United were still playing well. Substitutions aren’t only there to fix problems but also to assert an advantage, one which United were on the brink of having.
‘Shooters’ Greenwood and Rashford waste chances
Rashford and Greenwood are direct. At their best, they’re unstoppable. They look towards goal straight away. It’s a good attribute but when they play as a two-man partnership up front, neither create. Both shoot whenever they can and miss the final ball which would open up a better opportunity.
Unlike Rashford and Greenwood, Martial has a more balanced game. Neither is necessarily better but United lacked variety against City until the Frenchman came on.
United can learn from tactical foul-heavy City
It was the 86th-minute when Fernandinho, the king of the tactical foul in the Premier League, was finally booked. It’s classic of the Brazilian defensive midfielder and typical of City, too. And Guardiola. It’s a trait all of his sides have had and it’s so effective. Ideally referees would punish it more regularly and take it out of the game but while they don’t, United could learn a thing or two.
On the occasions that City did break through United’s defence, Solskjaer’s players were hesitant to make any kind of foul. City’s inefficiency in attack meant United got away with it but in future they need to learn to make those professional fouls.
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