United View: Forgettable Derby sums up a season of decline for both sides.

Another Manchester Derby has come and gone. One that will likely not be remembered, following a scoreless draw, epitomising what’s been a failure of a season for both sides given their standards. 

United were looking to do the league double over the Blues for the first time since 2019, but there was no Amad inspired brilliance in this encounter as it looked as though both sides were content with a draw. 

A point keeps United in 13th while Pep’s side battle for a Champions League position. 

Ruben Amorim’s side looked the more likely to score, although once again lacked creativity or danger in the final third. 

Alejandro Garnacho’s early breakway – halted by a foul - and a sweeping Joshua Zirzkee shot saved by Ederson were perhaps United’s two best chances. 

Meanwhile, City packed out the midfield and offered even less than the Reds in attack.

In total, both sides only managed to create a combined xG of 1.41. 

Perhaps having less on the line in this fixture compared to recent years is what prompted such a drab affair. 

Lest we forget that the reverse fixture was also a poor showing until United’s late turnaround at the Etihad. 

However, the drop in quality of United and City was apparent on Sunday, with a rebuild likely on the cards for both Amorim and Guardiola. 

United’s manager had a retort to Gary Neville, who was disgruntled at the performance of each side in the Derby, with Amorim saying, “I understand Gary Neville is very critical about everything… I understand we are not fighting. We are in the moment that we are doing the worst season in history.” 

Amorim also spoke on Casemiro, who impressed again on Sunday, adding, “He wasn’t playing because I understood in the moment, he wasn’t the best option to the way we wanted to play, but he continued to work… If they do what we ask of them, they have the opportunity, if they play well, they continue to play.” 

The Brazilian has been solid since his reintegration into the first team, aided when playing next to Manuel Ugarte, who is capable of doing his share of running. 

And it seems Amorim has given Casemiro less ground to cover, which hides some of his physical capabilities.  

Whether Casemiro will be at United next season is unforeseen, but he has shown that he is still more than capable of producing bustling displays in midfield. 

While he may struggle to keep up with the pace and intensity of the Premier League, he would be a key addition to a team in a slower league.  

For now, he’s a key figure in the side, and with United playing the first leg against Lyon in the Quarter Final of the Europa League on Thursday, he’ll likely be used against the French side.  

This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides, the first since 2008 and the Reds are unbeaten against the seven-time French Champions. Even though they aren’t the powerhouse they once were in the 2000s, they are still fighting for a Champions League finish. 

For United, this is the opportunity to keep their season alive, with the prospect of qualifying for the Champions League. 

The Reds have performed better in Europe than in the league, scoring 20 in the Europa League, compared to 37 in the Premier League, in 21 less games. 

With the second leg at Old Trafford, a good result on Thursday will put them in a favourable position, where they would face either Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final.