Manchester City’s hopes of Champions League qualification remain in the balance after a dismal derby at Manchester United ended 0-0 on Sunday.
United had the better of a game limited in chances as they missed out on a first league double over City since 2019/20.
A point leaves City still in fifth in the Premier League, which should be enough to reach next season’s Champions League.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men are just two points above Newcastle, who have two games in hand on City.
A point edges United up to 13th.
Never in the Premier League era have neither City or United finished in the top four but that record is under severe threat in the coming months.
A contest devoid of quality, intensity or fight summed up a dreadful season for both sides of the Manchester divide.
After a record four consecutive league titles, City’s form has fallen off a cliff to leave them at risk of not making the top four for the first time since 2009/10.
United’s only chance of Champions League qualification is by winning the Europa League as they are set for their worst ever Premier League finish.
The Red Devils have shown flashes of improvement this week but also failed to score in their 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to underline their problem in front of goal.
Kevin De Bruyne started just days after announcing this will be his final season at City.
But the Belgian’s performance was the latest example that he is now a shadow of the figure Guardiola said will be remembered as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
City had the majority of the ball, but United were the more threatening side on the counter-attack in a pedestrian first half.
Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte all failed to make the most of half-chances to get a strike off inside the City box.