Manchester United player ratings vs Man City with one 4/10 but Bruno Fernandes good

The 196th Manchester derby at Old Trafford may have lacked goals, but it certainly wasn’t short on talking points. Manchester United held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in what turned out to be one of the more disciplined performances of the season under Rúben Amorim.

This clash between the two cross-town rivals was always going to be a battle of tactics, and it was United who surprisingly had the better chances in the first half, despite City dominating the ball. Garnacho’s squandered opportunity early on was arguably the defining moment of the game.

City kept pushing, with their usual dominance in possession, but United’s backline stood firm. Leny Yoro looked every bit like a composed, ball-playing defender with maturity beyond his years. His ability to calmly defuse threats and maintain composure under pressure was vital.

Harry Maguire returned to the starting lineup after five weeks out, and while his performance wasn’t flawless, it was reliable. He misplaced a pass that could’ve been costly but otherwise did what was asked of him before being subbed off before the hour mark, possibly as a fitness precaution.

One standout performer was Noussair Mazraoui, who looked much sharper on the right side of the back three. His reading of the game allowed him to make key interventions, including a crucial block to deny Phil Foden in what could have been a golden scoring chance.

Diogo Dalot, as ever, was a consistent presence. His perfectly placed cross to Garnacho was the highlight of his afternoon, though the Argentine couldn’t finish. Dalot managed his defensive duties well, rarely letting Doku or any of City’s wide players get behind him.

In midfield, Manuel Ugarte had a mixed game. His energy was evident, but his distribution left much to be desired. He squandered a good chance after Bruno Fernandes lofted a clever ball into the box, although he came closer later with a better-struck volley.

Casemiro, who had been in and out of the team in recent weeks, showed why his experience still matters. He kept things tidy and was able to match the tempo in what was one of the slower-paced derbies under Guardiola’s tenure in England. He didn’t try to overdo things and looked focused throughout.

Patrick Dorgu, despite being young and still adjusting to this level, had an encouraging second half. He initially looked nervous, fluffing a great opportunity from a Garnacho assist. However, he regrouped and later delivered a neat pass to set up Zirkzee.

Speaking of Garnacho, he started brightly—drawing a foul just outside the area from Ruben Dias. However, his momentum waned in the second half. The missed chance from Dalot’s cross will surely haunt him, especially in a derby where moments like that can make all the difference.

Bruno Fernandes was once again one of United’s most reliable outlets. Initially positioned as part of the front three, he led the press with aggression and intelligence. When he dropped deeper into midfield after Mount’s introduction, he maintained his creativity and influence.

Rasmus Hojlund had a disappointing afternoon. Starting ahead of Zirkzee, the Danish forward found it difficult to impose himself. Josko Gvardiol marked him out of the game with ease, and Hojlund’s inability to make meaningful runs or hold up the ball was concerning. A 4/10 performance summed it up.

Joshua Zirkzee, who came on in the second half, brought immediate improvement. His movement was sharper, and he tested Ederson with a half-volley that required a solid save. He showed why there’s growing belief that he could be the better fit up front long-term.

Victor Lindelof replaced Maguire and slotted in without drama. He didn’t have much to do defensively but managed his role well in a tightly contested affair.

Mason Mount’s cameo didn’t offer much spark. He had a shot blocked following Zirkzee’s effort and then picked up a yellow card. Still, his inclusion shows that Amorim is trying to gradually build him into the setup.

Tactically, Amorim’s decision to start with a defensively stacked lineup raised eyebrows, but it paid off in terms of keeping City at bay. Despite that, United had the better chances, which makes the draw feel more like two points dropped than one gained.

In the end, the derby may not have delivered fireworks on the scoreboard, but it highlighted a new era of discipline under Rúben Amorim. A clean sheet against City is no small feat, and the manager’s game plan almost brought a famous win.

What this game made clear is that Manchester United have a growing defensive core and tactical identity. If the finishing can be sharpened and the right striker brought in during the summer, they could soon start winning matches like this.