POSITIVES FOR UNITED, SETBACK FOR CITY

The goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium may seem to benefit neither team in the long run, though one of the Manchester clubs has reason to be pleased. HT looks at why Manchester United will be happy with the result:

WEAK BY INJURY

Manchester United went into the derby with a considerably weakened squad. Injuries to Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic meant the team’s core lacked adequate resources.

Manager Jose Mourinho — known to set up defensively resolute teams

— had his players braced for barrages of Man City attacks, conceded 31% ball possession, and withstood the pressure effectively.

EYE ON EUROPE

The Manchester derby was expected to be a big match in the fight for Champions League football next season. United are still in the Europa League with semifinal ties against Celta Vigo coming up. Mourinho previously spoke about shifting focus to the Europa League in order to win the competition, especially since lifting the trophy would confirm a spot in next season’s Champions League. The 0-0 draw with City means that United suffer little at the expense of their neighbours.

DOWN A MAN

Marouane Fellaini was sent off for the final few minutes of the derby while Gabriel Jesus almost marked a successful return to action with a goal that was disallowed for offside. Mourinho will be glad his team did not concede in the final minutes thereby earning a point rather than losing three. Had City won, they would have leapfrogged Liverpool into third position, another disappointment for the Blues.