Kevin De Bruyne’s final Manchester derby ended in a whimper as the two teams played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford and settled for a point each.
The hosts started as the stronger team by utilising their pace on the counter-attack with Patrick Dorgu and Alejandro Garnacho developing a fine partnership on the left wing. Dorgu had a decent chance halfway through the first half but lifted a shot over the top.
Earlier Omar Marmoush, who perhaps had City’s best opportunity in the first half, saw his effort deflected by Harry Maguire before Casemiro sent an effort into the arms of Ederson.
A dull match continued in the second half with neither team pushing hard to get the victory. Phil Foden was clear in the box and poked a chance wide before both goalkeepers were called into action. Bruno Fernandes said United lacked ‘a killer instinct’ and everyone watching one would agree.
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Man Utd vs Man City LIVE
- Man Utd draw with Man City in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports
- 78’ SAVE! Ederson denies Zirkzee before Mount follow is blocked (MUN 0-0 MCI)
- 65’ SAVE! Onana palms Marmoush’s free kick wide of the target (MUN 0-0 MCI)
- 48’ CHANCE! Foden gets clear but pushes a shot wide (MUN 0-0 MCI)
- 39’ CHANCE! Casemiro shoots from the edge of the box but finds Ederson (MUN 0-0 MCI)
- 27’ SHOT! Dorgu blazes one over the top from the left (MUN 0-0 MCI)
- 18' CHANCE! Marmoush gets in behind but his shot is blocked by Maguire (MUN 0-0 MCI)
Manchester United FC 0 - 0 Manchester City FC
Lacklustre Manchester derby encapsulates why this is United’s ‘worst season in history’
20:00
,
Mike Jones
They traded songs about Manchester City being the best team in the world and Manchester United having won the lot. Call it wishful thinking, nostalgia or simply a distraction from a dull, dismal derby as mediocrity and mundanity ruled at Old Trafford. The 196th derby simply illustrated the slide in standards on both sides of Manchester.
An afternoon notable for the presence of iconic greats – Eric Cantona in the stands, Kevin De Bruyne in the City forward line – was a reminder of what these clubs have been. Now they are 13th and fifth. If City finish any lower and fail to reach the Champions League, the five points dropped against United this season will appear particularly costly. “I prefer to have 10 more points or 20 more but it is what it is,” shrugged Pep Guardiola. “Old Trafford is Old Trafford.”
Can City get back to the top?
19:45
,
Mike Jones
"It will take time, the players gave everything today,” said Pep Guardiola.
"We will prepare for the upcoming games, there are a few things I'm happy with what I saw, but now we need to achieve the target of qualifying for Champions League then next season is next season."
Guardiola on how City improve:
19:41
,
Mike Jones
"The players know it. There is a process when the ball is on one side the players need to be in the right position. Today that was not good enough.
"Against a 5-4-1 it's so narrow and congested. We should have been in some positions that we tried to get in but weren't good enough to punish them.
"The last games we much much better, back four better, just our process was not [good] but we know that, when we lose the ball in certain positions they are a strong team and punish you, but we knew that.”
Reaction from Pep Guardiola:
19:37
,
Mike Jones
"We have the control but not in the right spots to hurt them in the first half, a little better in the first minutes of the second half.
“United have been an incredible transitional team, defend agaisnt us deep, with Garnacho and the pace they have. They link inside, they know perfectly what they have to do. But we take the point, I'd prefer to win but we are there.”
Reaction from Mateo Kovacic:
19:33
,
Mike Jones
"Not a beautiful game to watch. It was tough. They were aggressive in the mid block so it was tough to find the right spaces to play. It was tough to create chances and we had to be careful with the counter attack because they are good going forward. It was a typical derby. We wanted the win but we take the point and move on.
"We always go for the win but we also had to be careful not to lose it because we are in a battle for the Champions League and we need points. We could have done more going forward and creating more but it was tough with the small spaces. We move on to the next games.
"We have to have the same mindset for Champions League [as going for the title] because it is important that Man City are in the competition next season.
"It will be tough until the end because there are many teams that fight for the top four and no game in the Premier League is easy. But we are confident that we can achieve it."
Fernandes on De Bruyne's impact on Premier League:
19:27
,
Mike Jones
"De Bruyne made the Premier League better. If City is where he is and Manchester United haven't won many trophies in this period, that is because of Kevin. He deserves all the credit, he has done fantastic.
"Ten years in the Premier League is a lot. Kevin keeps being world class and it was a pleasure to watch him so close, it was a pleasure to play against him and he's going to stay in the history of the Premier League, not only of Man City."
Fernandes on how United improve:
19:22
,
Mike Jones
"It is not these games that will define that. Whenever we play big teams, we know the pressure and attention is there. If we want to be a big club, like Manchester City and Liverpool, we have to do that consistently. If after today we relax and think that this is enough, we go back again. We have to do this consistently.
"It can't be like it was in the past, a lot of things have changed, with VAR, everything. With VAR, you can't do that.We can't be as rough as we want in the duels. Everything have changed."
Reaction from Bruno Fernandes:
19:17
,
Mike Jones
"Happy with the performance but we need points. We played against a very good side but the game was there, we needed a killer instinct to get the goals. When you play against Manchester City, you know they will have a lot of the ball. The killer instinct was missing but we created a lot of chances.
"We have to be carry on. Not just for the rest of the season but everything that comes after.
"We know that I will get more attention than others because I am the captain and I need to be at a level every time I go on the pitch. Effort will never be missing and that has to be my main thing to show to the other players.”
'We need to fight for big things'
19:13
,
Mike Jones
"If you look at the moment of both teams, not fighting for titles, that changes the game completely.
"The feeling of winning, not being able to lose one point, that feeling is not here.
“As the coach it's hard to say that. We need to fight for big things, if we do then the feeling will be completely different."
'I'm not naive or crazy' says Amorim
19:08
,
Mike Jones
“I'm not naive or crazy, I can see the moment we are in, I can look at the opponents and understand there is a big gap, but as a leader I cannot say we are going to take all of the time to close the gap.
"Even if we bring in more players we have to hurry and show urgency to do better because we don't have much time at a club like this. We are in a rush.”
Amorim on where United need to improve:
19:03
,
Mike Jones
"We have so many aspects to improve. Everywhere we need to improve in every aspect, build up, transition, decisions in the final third.
“Every player can improve, they are here because they showed something at other cubs.
“They have the quality, we are still a team that plays on transition, we need to spend more time in final third to have more opportunities."
Ruben Amorim on Sky Sports:
18:59
,
Mike Jones
"I think we had some chances to win the game. We tried to use the space in transitions, defending in a low block, but we had our chances.
"We had some moments with the ball, we pushed City into their half, we were closer to a goal but we can accept a draw. We were closer to the goal, they had more posession but that is normal.”
Man Utd fans protest after the game
18:55
,
Mike Jones
There is a sit in protest happening from the Manchester United fans.
It was arranged in advance by the 1958 group and is protesting the ownership group.
Chants of "we want the Glazers out" and plenty of banners are strewn around the middle of the lower tier of the Stretford End.
The grievances largely concern the increase in ticket prices without consultation.
Reaction from Gary Neville on Sky Sports:
18:48
,
Mike Jones
“I think the congratulations and love-in that I'm watching says both teams are happy with a 0-0.
“The best Man City and Man United teams would be very disappointed with the way they've approached the end of that game.
“It looks like it's Sunday afternoon and they're going to go for a roast dinner together now.
“They're micromanaged to an inch of their lives, so robotic and it's symptomatic of a lot of games that we're watching nowadays.
“I'm disappointed, it's a Manchester derby, it should have more blood, thunder, and risk and courage involved in playing the game and winning the game than that.”
Full-time! Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18:23
,
Mike Jones
90+4 mins: Goalless.
The points are shared and this dour game comes to a close with a whimper.
One point each.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18:19
,
Mike Jones
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
Perhaps one moment to change the outcome of the game?
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18:14
,
Mike Jones
85 mins: Five minutes left to play and the signs are all pointing to a goalless draw.
A dour note to end Kevin De Bruyne’s experience of this derby unless someone, somehow, can conjur up a surprise.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18:11
,
Mike Jones
81 mins: Into the final 10 minutes of the match now and still nothing to separate the two teams.
Will there be some late drama?
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18:06
,
Mike Jones
78 mins: Save!
Huge moment. Patrick Dorgu comes downt he left with the ball and picks out Joshua Zirkzee in the box.
He fires a shot at goal only for Ederson to punch it away on the dive.
The ball comes to Mason Mount who has to reshuffle his feet before shooting but that allows Rico Lewis enough time to close him down and block the second attempt.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18:02
,
Mike Jones
75 mins: More changes.
Ilkay Gundogan and Nico O’Reilly are off with Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish brought on.
Will these substitutions make a difference?
'Is there drama to come?'
18:00
,
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“There have been plenty of dramatic Manchester derbies in recent years not least December's turnaround at the Etihad.
“Is there any drama to come in this one? Joshua Zirkzee is coming on, which may provide an answer.
“So is Mason Mount, who got injured against City earlier in the season.”
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:59
,
Mike Jones
72 mins: Close! Bruno Fernandes sends the ball down the right wing to find Casemiro.
He pulls the ball back out to the edge of the box where Manuel Ugarte rattles a shot just wide of the goal.
Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee are now introduced with Rasmus Hojlund and Ugarte himself taken off.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:57
,
Mike Jones
69 mins: Kevin De Bruyne strides over to take a corner for Man City.
He lifts it into the box and sees the ball header away. It drops for Omar Marmoush who smokes a first time effort at goal.
Onana denies him again and pushes the ball to Nico O’Reilly but the City man is offside.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:52
,
Mike Jones
65 mins: Save!
City win a free kick about 25-yards or so from goal. Omar Marmoush takes it and lifts the ball over the wall.
There’s enough dip on it to take the ball under the crossbar meaning Andre Onana has to leap to his left and push the ball wide.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:51
,
Mike Jones
63 mins: Patrick Dorgu drills a low pass into the box as Ruben Dias dives to stop the ball from reaching Rasmus Hojlund.
He blocks the ball and there’s a big roar for handball but the ball hits him on the chest and then the chin before his teammates clear their lines.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:48
,
Mike Jones
60 mins: An hour played at Old Trafford as Bruno Fernandes whips a corner into the box.
Josko Gvardiol leaps high and heads the ball clear near the back post.
Ruben Amorim looks thoughtful on the sidelines. He may believe this match is there to be won.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:45
,
Mike Jones
57 mins: The first changes of the game take place now.
Jeremy Doku replaces Phil Foden for Man City with Victor Lindelof taking the place of Harry Maguire for Man Utd.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:41
,
Mike Jones
54 mins: A rare pacey break forward from City sees De Bruyne collect the ball on the right wing.
He cuts inside and laces a shot into the arms of Andre Onana.
A chorus of ‘Oh Kevin De Bruyne!’ is chanted by the visiting fans.
'City have no penalty-box poacher'
17:39
,
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“United defending relatively deep, which is how some of their best results under Ruben Amorim have come.
“One way to flourish in a packed penalty area is to have a very tall man with a brilliant goalscoring record.
“Without Erling Haaland, however, City have no penalty-box poacher. They haven't had enough incision at all.”
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:38
,
Mike Jones
51 mins: City are more alive and alert at the start if the second half which may point to a more promising 45 minutes of football.
The hosts have to silence them again and halt the gaining momentum.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:36
,
Mike Jones
48 mins: Bruno Fernandes drifts out to the right and is given the ball.
He takes it to the byline before dinking a cross into the arms of Ederson.
Not one of Fernandes’ better passes.
At the other end of the pitch, Omar Marmoush spins and pokes the ball into the box where Foden collects it.
He shoots but the ball is sent wide at the last moment. Close one.
Second half! Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:33
,
Mike Jones
Man City restart the match. Neither manager has made a change at the halfway point.
Kevin De Bruyne was the magician who brought personality to the Man City machine
17:30
,
Mike Jones
Kevin De Bruyne came to Manchester City as their record signing and will leave as their greatest ever player. “Every story comes to an end,” he said, announcing his summer departure. A coda to the last chapter has long seemed obvious. Manchester, he said, will forever be in his family’s hearts and a version of him will surely forever be around the Etihad Stadium. De Bruyne is likely to be immortalised in bronze, celebrated in a statue.
Opponents can admire him there, safe in the knowledge their defence will not be unlocked by an act of extraordinary brilliance. As Pep Guardiola reacted to De Bruyne’s decision, the City manager underlined how productive an artist has been. “I read today that he's been involved in 280 goals and assists,” said Guardiola.
HT Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:25
,
Mike Jones
Manchester City had 62% possession in the first half and had four shots with one on target.
Their xG was a paltry 0.14 while Man Utd’s wasn’t much better at 0.38.
At least United challenged Ederson a couple of times.
HT Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:22
,
Mike Jones
Half-time! Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:18
,
Mike Jones
Not a great deal to write home about from those 45 minutes.
Goalless and not very thrilling. Hopefully we get a contrasting second half.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:15
,
Mike Jones
45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:12
,
Mike Jones
42 mins: Ruben Amorim will be the happier of the two managers.
Man City have offered very little, United have at least tried to get on the front foot and challenging the goal.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:11
,
Mike Jones
39 mins: Dorgu threads a pass across the box which finds Dalot.
He looks to cut it back to Fernandes who leaves it as Casemiro arrives.
Casemiro shoots and gets the ball through the defence but Ederson is on hand to scoop it up without too much trouble.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:06
,
Mike Jones
36 mins: The Old Trafford faithful are in full voice which is providing a nice backdrop to some less than thrilling football.
It’s all a bit tepid and slow as United look to remain solid against the better quality of City and try to hurt them on the break.
An injection of creativity or even a goal is needed to liven up proceedings.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:02
,
Mike Jones
33 mins: Andre Onana comes to meet Phil Foden’s delivery but gets nowhere near the ball.
Instead it is flicked on to the back post where Noussair Mazraoui clears the danger for Man Utd.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
17:01
,
Mike Jones
30 mins: Half an hour played at Old Trafford and no goals.
No proper chances to speak of either with Garnacho’s fumbled attempt probably the best of them.
City just haven’t been able to put it together in the final third but they win themselves a corner.
'An open game'
17:00
,
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“An open game, in part because neither side has the capacity to close it down.
“City have two midfielders at full-back. It feels a little odd that Nico Gonzalez was benched.
“United been fairly enterprising but lacking quality in the final third, particularly from Patrick Dorgu when Alejandro Garnacho set him up.”
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:58
,
Mike Jones
27 mins: Shot!
Fernandes chest the ball to Hojlund who feeds Garnacho into space.
The Argentine moves it forward and plays it back to his captain who feeds Dorgu into space on the left side of the box.
Dorgu shoots but smokes his effort over the top!
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:54
,
Mike Jones
24 mins: Dare I say it but there are signs that Ruben Amorim is imposing a style of play on Manchester United.
They look decent trying to break past City and Dorgu, Garnacho and Fernandes are forming a nice trio.
Garnacho, who has switched to the right, is fed the ball by Fernandes. He runs into the box and pulls it back to Dorgu arriving from the opposite wing.
The wingback should get off a shot but takes a heavy first touch and gives the ball away.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:51
,
Mike Jones
21 mins: Close!
A lovely switch from Garnacho finds Diogo Dalot on the right wing.
He brings the ball under control and lifts a cross into the middle.
Manuel Ugarte misses it with an attempted header which potential hinders Garnacho’s vision.
The ball drops to him but he fumbles an attempt to either head or volley the ball and ends up scuffing it to the nearest defender.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:48
,
Mike Jones
18 mins: Chance! Nico O’Reilly takes the direct option with a long ball forward.
Omar Marmoush collects it gratefully and pokes the ball into the box. He shoots but Harry Maguire gets back in time to block it.
The ball goes out for a corner which Kevin De Bruyne swings into the box. There’s a scramble for the ball before Rasmus Hojlund clears it.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:45
,
Mike Jones
15 mins: Casemiro chips a nice pass up the pitch and picks out Rasmus Hojlund.
He nods the ball into the penalty area and holds off Ruben Dias only for Josko Gvardiol to arrive on his right and nick the ball off him.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:42
,
Mike Jones
12 mins: Foden is down after tangling with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro. The latter lunged into a heavy tackle and the City midfielder has an issue.
The physios are called for and there’s a break in play.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:40
,
Mike Jones
9 mins: Other than Garnacho’s dart in behind it’s been a rather sedate start to this match.
City are trying to gain some control and force United deeper but so far the hosts’ defence has been up to the task of keeping them quiet.
Phil Foden takes a shot from the edge of the box after cutting inside from the right but he pulls his effort wide of the nearest post.
'Guardiola likes to spring surprises'
16:37
,
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“Pep Guardiola likes to spring a surprise in big games and may have done so again by fielding Kevin De Bruyne as a centre-forward.
“Something for United's three centre-backs to ponder, especially if he doesn't play up against them.”
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:36
,
Mike Jones
6 mins: Now it’s Man City’s turn to assert some control on the ball.
They work it over to Bernardo Silva on the right win g but he’s forced backwards.
Nico Reilly receives the ball and finds Kevin De Bruyne who will be hoping to impress on his final Manchester derby.
He’s only lost one of these matches at Old Trafford.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:33
,
Mike Jones
3 mins: That foul on Garnacho was just outside the box with the Argentine appealing for a penalty.
The decision from the referee to give a free kick was the correct one and a good spot from David Brooks.
Fernandes takes the free kick and drills it into the wall where Omar Marmoush deflects it behind for a corner which Man City deal with.
Kick off! Man Utd 0-0 Man City
16:31
,
Mike Jones
Bruno Fernandes gets the ball rolling at Old Trafford as the referee signals for play to begin.
The Red Devils work the ball around at the back before a slick move sees Patrick Dorgu send the ball up to Rasmus Hojlund.
He flicks it on for Alejandro Garnacho to sprint up the pitch.
He gets to the edge of the box and is brought down by Ruben Dias who is booked. Quick start!
Man Utd vs Man City
16:25
,
Mike Jones
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Old Trafford.
Kevin De Bruyne leads out Manchester City for the final time in this derby ahead of his exit from the club this summer.
Bruno Fernandes has the armband for Man Utd. Both clubs have underperformed this year but this match tends to bring out the best in one of them.
Who will it be today? Kick off is up next...
Match facts
16:20
,
Chris Wilson
For City, six defeats in their last 11 top-flight away matches (W3, D2) is as many as they had suffered in their previous 37 combined.
The away team has won 10 of the last 18 league meetings between these sides. Since the 2015-16 campaign, the only Premier League fixture with more away wins is Crystal Palace versus Liverpool (12).
Shaw returns for United
16:18
,
Mike Jones
One of the positives for Manchester United today is the fact that Luke Shaw is on the bench.
Ruben Amorim spoke ahead of kick off and mentioned the experience that Shaw can bring to the young team but says the defender will only be able to manage ‘a few minutes’.
'Guardiola may have shown a sentimental streak'
16:11
,
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“Pep Guardiola may have shown a sentimental streak, starting Kevin De Bruyne in what will prove his final Manchester derby.
“With Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan also playing, it is an aged midfield. And as they are up against Casemiro, this may prove a particularly slow clash in midfield.
“Meanwhile, the lesser-spotted Luke Shaw is back on the bench. The stakes have been huge in some Manchester derbies.
“Not this one, even though City are trying to qualify for the Champions League.”
Head-to-head
16:05
,
Chris Wilson
These two sides have met a total of 195 times, with United winning 80, City winning 62 and 53 ending as draws.
Earlier this season, United grabbed a comeback win with two goals in as many minutes – including a brilliant winner from Amad – as they won 2-1 at the Etihad.
Match facts
16:00
,
Chris Wilson
United are aiming to go four matches without defeat against City for the first time since January 2010 to February 2011.
They have lost 13 times in the Premier League this campaign, one short of their club record of 14, set last season.
Ruben Amorim ‘in a rush’ to restore Manchester United’s glory days as he sets title timeline
15:55
,
Chris Wilson
Ruben Amorim declared that he is in a rush to bring back the glory days to Manchester United but said he would not be crazy enough to think they will win the title next season.
United are 13th as they prepare for Sunday’s Manchester derby but Amorim is adamant they will be much better next year as he insisted he is trading short-term pain for some gain.
Chief executive Omar Berrada launched ‘Project 150’, United’s plan to try and win the Premier League title by their 150th anniversary in 2028, but while Amorim said he does not have a timetable, he will not ask for time and is putting pressure on himself to succeed soon.
Match facts
15:45
,
Chris Wilson
Manchester United are aiming to complete their first league double over Manchester City since the 2019-20 campaign.
City's nine away wins at Old Trafford is the most by any side in the Premier League. Five of those victories have come under Pep Guardiola, the most of any visiting manager in the competition.
United and City face off in lowest-calibre Manchester derby for decades
15:35
,
Chris Wilson
Welcome to Manchester, to borrow a hackneyed phrase. Although the invitation may seem less enticing than it has for quite some time.
“This, without a shadow of a doubt, will be the global capital of football in the rest of the 21st century,” said the mayor, Andy Burnham, last year. He may yet be proved right and the Everton supporter was talking in the context of a new Old Trafford and an expanded Etihad Stadium. But not now.
If Madrid has had a stronger case to be the world’s footballing capital over recent years, Manchester could have regarded itself as England’s unofficial centre. Some 21 of the 32 Premier League titles have gone to Manchester, an era of United dominance followed by one of Citysuperiority. Its twin halves have converged on London for the 2023 and 2024 FA Cup finals. Since the Premier League was founded, United and City have a combined 64 trophies.
Man City line-up to face Man Utd
15:18
,
Mike Jones
Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Marmoush
Your derby day lineup!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 6, 2025
XI | Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Kovacic, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Foden, Marmoush
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Grealish, Doku, Nico, Reis, Savinho, Khusanov, Lewis, McAtee#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/DQaCLoHpOY
Man Utd line-up to face Man City
15:17
,
Mike Jones
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
Presenting your derby day Reds #MUFC || #MUNMCI
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 6, 2025
Team news
15:10
,
Chris Wilson
We’re expecting the line-ups to come in five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the team news...
Man United’s injury woes have eased since the international break, with defensive pair Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire both making their return in United’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Amad Diallo, the matchwinner in the Etihad clash, is among the long-term absentees that will miss out, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven also unavailable.
