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Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City: Big Six struggles continue

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Ferran Torres (L) vies with Manchester United's English defender Luke Shaw (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 12, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Ferran Torres (L) vies with Manchester United's English defender Luke Shaw (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 12, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City created chances, but were ultimately frustrated as the season’s first Manchester Derby ended 0-0.

Man City missed another opportunity to gain ground toward the top of the table as they slumped to a 0-0 draw in the season’s first Manchester Derby. The Citizens had some moments of joy, but in the end were unable to find the back of the net, meaning they’ve taken just two points out of three games against Tottenham, Liverpool, and United.

Given that these teams, along with other contenders such as Chelsea and Leicester, will be City’s competition at the top end of the table, failing to take all three points directly is highly frustrating. After United were shellshocked by Leipzig and promptly dumped out of the Champions League, City had a real opportunity to compound their misery with a derby victory at Old Trafford, but ultimately proved incapable of scoring despite a solid defensive performance.

As it stands, over a quarter of a way through the season, City remain well off what is a typical title-winning pace. With just 19 points through 11 games and currently eighth in the league table, the Blues are on pace for just 65 points.

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City created decent chances against their rivals, with Riyad Mahrez putting a weak effort toward goal in the first half in what was probably the best opportunity of the game. United nearly had a dubious penalty, but in the end Marcus Rashford was ruled offside in the buildup before going down extremely easily.

If this season is to be turned around, City must be better against their closest rivals in the table. So far, their only positive result against the Big Six came against Arsenal in October, a side languishing in 15th in the table. Luckily, this season does not have one dominant side like Liverpool last year, so City remain within touching distance at five points off the top, although this is a precarious position. For all of the well-publicized disaster of last season, this year’s much more muted poor form by City is actually far worse, as they were six points better and with an 18 better goal difference through 11 matches in 2019-20.