Manchester United 0 – 0 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS

No goals, not many chances and not much excitement, yet, strangely, this was an absorbing affair. Sure, there wasn’t the free-flowing football or non-stop end-to-end action that we may have preferred to see, but this was a hard-fought, no-inch-given encounter for the purist. Many have called it boring. Others would use terms such as resilience and organisation to describe events. Either way, as is always the case in derbies, it was tense. Very tense.

The point probably suits City better. Going away from home in a derby is never easy, especially without your best two players, so to visit Old Trafford and perform as resolutely as we did was uplifting to see. Many characteristics are associated with this City side, but defensive solidity isn’t necessarily one of them, and as such, this display was surprising yet reassuring.

For all the talk about world-class attacking options, there was barely a clear-cut chance created. City’s more forward-thinking players were off the pace, careless on the ball and seldom threatening. United were arguably the more comfortable side, yet Joe Hart had only one save to make while also seeing one effort prevented by his woodwork. The two defences came out with reputations enhanced, sharp as they were to deny space and negate talent.

From a City perspective, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho grabbed the headlines, both excelling in their roles. Otamendi won the battle with Eliaquim Mangala to partner Vincent Kompany and vindicated his manager’s decision with a performance full of aggression and composure. In previous games, he has looked somewhat reckless, throwing himself needlessly into challenges and rushing around frantically, but on Sunday, faced with the pedestrian Wayne Rooney, he was in complete control.

His selection was one of the many elements Manuel Pellegrini can be pleased with on an excellent day for the City manager. How we have cried out for this more thoughtful, adaptable approach and the Chilean finally delivered.

Our two Champions League victories this season have come despite poor displays, Pellegrini’s carefree tactics leaving us vulnerable and open. Even in wins over the likes of Bournemouth and Newcastle, we could easily have been punished by better finishing. And those examples are just from the past four games. For more than two seasons now, we have wanted Pellegrini to learn from his mistakes and adopt a more pragmatic approach. It is all well and good having attacking principles, but there are times when what you need to do is buckle down, work hard, limit the opposition and battle through. City did just that at Old Trafford.

By selecting Fernando alongside Fernandinho, Pellegrini afforded City a more solid base. Yaya Touré has certain qualities, but carrying out his defensive duties is most definitely not among them and his negligence in keeping his shape has been a major factor in our Champions League struggles. Free him of those shackles and not only do you allow him to cause havoc further forward, but you make us harder to break down.

As it happens, Yaya had a poor game – as did Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling – with his lack of mobility over short distances making him a passenger as United moved around him, but the two Brazilians in the middle of the pitch were tireless and harried non-stop to shield our backline. For the first time in what felt like years, Pellegrini adapted to the opposition and the situation, and selected the best team for the game, not just his best players. There is a huge difference.

Hopefully he learns from this and applies the same approach away to Sevilla in a couple of weeks. The shape worked, the substitutions were logical and with Silva potentially back for that fixture, we will create enough chances to win the game. Lay the foundations and then build. Onwards we go, aware that success over the course of the season depends on matches and performances just like this.

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