Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League on goal difference after holding city rivals United to a lacklustre 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby.
The 170th edition of the fixture was expected to be one for the Old Trafford crowd to savour – United having the opportunity to leapfrog their neighbours in the standings, while City had scored 11 goals in their previous two league wins.
Such thrills were in meagre supply throughout 90 minutes contested by two lavishly assembled starting XI.
The absence of David Silva and Sergio Aguero through injury badly impacted upon City’s creativity, while an off-colour Wayne Rooney was unable to effectively supplement Anthony Martial’s ingenuity in the United attack.
Substitute Jesse Lingard was almost an unlikely derby hero for United, prodding a volley against the crossbar from Martial’s wonderful lofted ball five minutes from time and City goalkeeper Joe Hart saved brilliantly from Chris Smalling as the clock ticked down.
City edge on to 22 points, ahead of Arsenal at the summit on goal difference, while United are fourth and level on 20 with third-place West Ham.