An injury-depleted Manchester United held cross-town rival Manchester City to an uneventful 0-0 draw Thursday that failed to live up to the hype of the much-anticipated derby.
A disappointing first half brought just one clear chance as Carlos Tevez's 39th-minute free kick forced United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar into an acrobatic save.
While both teams are hoping to compete for the Premier League title, there was little attacking ambition from either side and the second half offered even less action inside the goalmouth.
Dimitar Berbatov's 56th-minute volley was easily caught by Joe Hart, and apart from a wayward shot from City defender Pablo Zabaleta and a deflected effort from United's Michael Carrick, neither goalkeeper was troubled seriously again.
AP