Manchester United and Manchester City have traded early chances at Old Trafford with the Premier League meeting still scoreless late in the first half.
Manchester United and Manchester City were level at 0 all with 37 minutes played in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford after a frantic opening that saw the home side threaten first and City settle into long spells of possession.
United began with energy under interim manager Michael Carrick, pressing City into hurried clearances and using quick breaks to get at a reshuffled back line.
Harry Maguire went close inside the opening minutes, thumping a header onto the crossbar from a Bruno Fernandes corner while Amad Diallo later had the ball in the net only for the move to be ruled offside.
City’s best moments came once they started to control the ball and pin United back but clear chances were limited.
United still found space on the counter, and Patrick Dorgu forced a sharp stop from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as the visitors midfield tried to close the gaps.
ESPN’s match tracker showed City with about 72% possession while United had created the more direct threat on target by leading shots on goal 2 to 0 at that point.
United lined up with Senne Lammens in goal and a back four of Diogo Dalot, Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw, with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo anchoring midfield behind Fernandes, Amad and Dorgu, and Bryan Mbeumo leading the line.
City, coached by Pep Guardiola, started Donnarumma behind a defence that included young centre-back Max Alleyne with Rodri returning in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden.
Erling Haaland had been kept relatively quiet through the first half hour as United crowded central areas and tried to cut off early service.
Beyond local bragging rights, the match sits in the middle of a tight race near the top end of the table.
City entered the round sitting second on 43 points, six behind leaders Arsenal while United were seventh on 32 points.
At this stage, the derby had delivered pace and pressure rather than a breakthrough. The score remained Manchester United 0 Manchester City 0 as the first half moved toward its final stretch.
