Manchester United battled their way to a hard-earned draw against Manchester City in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday. While the Red Devils were aiming to complete a league double over their city rivals for the first time in five years, they ultimately came up short in the final third, lacking the precision needed to turn their chances into goals.
One of the clearest opportunities fell to Joshua Zirkzee in the 77th minute. The forward rose well to meet a cross and directed a header toward the far post, but Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson produced a top-quality save to deny what could have been the winning goal.
Despite the lack of goals, there were still several standout performances. Bruno Fernandes once again led by example with his creative influence and leadership, but it was Casemiro who quietly stole the show with a commanding display in midfield. The Brazilian, who had a slow start under new manager Ruben Amorim and often found himself on the bench, has clawed his way back into the starting lineup with a string of strong performances. Initially given a run in the team due to an injury to Manuel Ugarte before the international break, Casemiro has since made his case to be undroppable.
Even in the recent 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, the 33-year-old midfielder showed flashes of his quality. Against Manchester City, however, he truly reminded fans of what he’s capable of. He was everywhere on the pitch—winning a remarkable 13 duels and making seven successful tackles. In addition to his defensive contributions, he completed 60 touches, made three recoveries, and intercepted the ball twice in what was an impressive all-around display.
Manager Ruben Amorim praised Casemiro after the game, acknowledging the veteran’s resurgence and improved performances. With such commanding form, the Brazilian looks set to remain a key figure in the side.
Looking ahead, United will shift their focus to the Europa League, where they travel to France to take on Lyon in the quarter-final first leg on Thursday. Amorim may stick with a similar lineup to the one that faced City, though a change up front could be on the cards. Zirkzee, who showed great awareness and timing with his header late in the derby, might be given the nod ahead of Rasmus Højlund as Amorim looks to shake things up in attack.
A positive result in Lyon could provide the momentum United need for a strong European campaign. With Champions League qualification on the line through Europa League success, Thursday night’s clash carries even greater importance.
