Premier League: Tactical masterclass from Mourinho helps United to steal a vital point in Manchester Derby

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Manchester United played with ten men for last five minutes in Manchester Derby. Image Source: PL twitter

Internet Desk: The typical Jose Mourinho tactics again proved to be the a significant factor as Manchester City could only share the spoils in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad on Thursday night.

A win in this game could have sealed the fate of either of the Manchester teams to finish in the top four. But United didn’t have as many as seven key players including the likes of Ibrahimovic and Pogba, when City had almost a full-blooded side. United needed a tactical masterclass from Jose Mourinho to snatch a point from this game and they came out with flying colours despite being own to 10 men in the last twelve minutes.

Sergio Aguero, who has scored eight goals in 10 games against United, started up front for Guardiola, although perhaps the best thing for City fans was seeing Gabriel Jesus on the bench.

Aguero nearly opened the scoring in the 10th minute after receiving a great cross from Kevin de Bruyne at point blank range, yet he somehow managed to hit the post.

The first half carried on into half-time without much more action, save Mkhitaryan shooting straight at Claudio Bravo following a rebound off the keeper’s mistake and Aguero forcing David de Gea into a wonderful save with a shot from distance.

Ander Herrera also missed a free header quite close to the goal, shooting wide after Rashford’s free kick just before the whistle, which meant that the sides would head into the half locked at 0-0.

A moment of utter stupidity saw Marouane Fellaini get sent off in the 83rd minute for headbutting Aguero seconds after being shown the first yellow card of the game for a challenge on the Argentinian striker.

Guardiola chose that moment to finally throw on Jesus, who came on to an effusive applause from the waiting City crowd.

Six minutes of stoppage time did little to change the state of the match, however, although Jesus thought he won it just after the 90th minute when he headed the ball past De Gea. In the end, the teams could not be separated and their positions remained unchanged.