English Premier League: Manchester City hold United to goalless draw
Manchester United reached half-time having failed to register a single attempt at goal
Manchester: Manchester United and Manchester City shared the spoils after a forgettable 170th Manchester derby that yielded only two shots on target finished 0-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The point was enough to return City to the Premier League summit on goal difference above Arsenal, with United two points back in fourth place, but it was not a game that will have given Arsene Wenger’s side undue concerns about the strength of their competition in the title race.
Perhaps mindful of the joy that Sevilla had found on the flanks during their 2-1 Champions League defeat at City on Wednesday, United looked to move the ball wide quickly, with Antonio Valencia — preferred to Matteo Darmian at right-back — squandering two early crossing chances.
Martial again lined up wide on the left for the hosts and he offered a threat each time he took possession, drawing fouls from Fernandinho and City skipper Vincent Kompany that each yielded bookings.
At the other end, winger Raheem Sterling had a shot blocked by Phil Jones, while as the half drew to a close Yaya Toure saw a free-kick deflected off-target and then headed wide from the ensuing corner. Manchester United reached half-time having failed to register a single attempt at goal.