Manchester City’s chances of Champions League qualification continue to hang in the balance after a woeful derby against Manchester United concluded 0-0 on Sunday. United had the edge of a match low on opportunities as they fell short of securing a first league double over City since 2019/20.
A draw keeps City firmly in fifth in the Premier League, which should prove sufficient to qualify for next season’s Champions League. But Pep Guardiola’s side are only two points ahead of Newcastle, who have two games in hand on City. A point puts United up to 13th. Never in the Premier League era have City and United both failed to finish in the top four but that record is in serious danger of being broken in the next few months.
A contest lacking quality, intensity or battle encapsulated a horrific season for both sides of the Manchester divide.
Manchester City Face Decline After Historic Success
Following a record four league titles in succession, City’s form has dropped off a cliff to leave them in danger of failing to reach the top four for the first time since 2009/10.
Fading Champions League Hopes Of Manchester United
United’s only hope for Champions League qualification is through winning the Europa League as they’re on course for their worst ever Premier League finish.
Glimpses of Promise, But Goal-Scoring Woes Persist
The Red Devils have provided glimpses of improvement this week but also came away without a goal in their 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to highlight their issue in front of goal.
De Bruyne’s Diminishing Influence in Final Season
Kevin De Bruyne got going just a few days into announcing this is to be his last season with City.
Yet the Belgian performance was the newest reminder that he is now just a shadow of the player Pep Guardiola promised to be remembered among the all-time greats in the Premier League.
Slow Start with Limited Chances in First Half
City possessed most of the ball, though United were more menacing on the counter-attack in a jog-fest opening half.
Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte all missed opportunities to score from half-chances to score a strike within the City box.
Phil Foden created the game’s best opportunity just seconds into half-time, but messed up with only Andre Onana in front of him.
Second Half Brings More Action But No Goals
The entertainment did slightly pick up after the interval as Omar Marmoush’s fierce shot from a corner hit the palms of Onana.
Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount’s late introduction from the bench supplied more pace to the United front in the last 20 minutes.
Both could have stolen it when Zirkzee’s shot was pawed away by Ederson and Rico Lewis made a good block from Mount’s follow-up shot.
There were grins at a fond hug between Guardiola and Ruben Amorim at the final whistle but those greetings camouflaged the reality that both men cannot be satisfied with how their teams stood after a subpar season.
