The Manchester derby on Saturday evening fizzled out into a largely drab affair at Old Trafford with neither team able to break the deadlock.
United saw a second-half penalty overturned by VAR after Marcus Rashford was caught offside in a game of very few clear-cut chances.
Both Kevin de Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes, who dipped below his usual high standards, also struggled to inject some much-needed creativity into the clash.
Sportsmail's Richard Tanner has rated the performances from both sets of players...
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-1-2)
David De Gea 6
Atoned for midweek error with vital first half save from Riyad Mahrez but otherwise had little to do.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6
Improved after a difficult start and kept Raheem Sterling on a tight leash.
Victor Lindelof 7
Threatened with two first half headers and played a big part in an improved defensive display by United.
Harry Maguire 8
Timely block on Sterling shot and went close with first half header. Barely put a foot wrong although booked for trip on Gabriel Jesus in second half.
Luke Shaw 6
Defended well and kept Mahrez quiet but didn't venture over the half-way line too often.
Scott McTominay 6
Showed plenty of characteristic aggression in his tackling, covered plenty of ground and protected back four well.
Fred 6
Recovered from early challenge by Kevin De Bryune that slowed him up for a while to produce a disciplined midfield display.
Paul Pogba 7
Justified Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's decision to start him with arguably his best performance of the season. Showed discipline and passed well.
Bruno Fernandes 6
As usual looked United's most creative player but a fairly quiet game by his usual high standards.
Mason Greenwood 5
Worked hard but didn't get a lot of service. Only first half shot blocked and should have done better with second half effort before being replaced by Martial.
Marcus Rashford 5
Not one of his best games but didn't enjoy much service, although a poor touch let him down when Fernandes put him through. Looked to have won a penalty only for VAR to ruled him offside.
Substitutes:
Anthony Martial (for Greenwood 74th min). No real impact 4.
Booked: Maguire.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)
Ederson 6
The Brazilian's kicking not at his best but he didn't have a serious save to make.
Kyle Walker 6
Defended well apart from one rash challenge on Rashford when he was saved by VAR from conceding a penalty.
John Stones 7
Justified Pep Guardiola's decision to play him with solid defensive show that will have given the watching Gareth Southgate food for thought.
Ruben Dias 6
Solid performance showed why City paid £60m for him - produced fine block from Greenwood shot in first half.
Joao Cancelo 6
Supported Sterling well on the left flank and played his part in City's defensive display.
Rodri 6
Typical solid show in midfield from the Spaniard. Covered plenty of ground and cancelled out United's midfield.
Fernandinho 6
Helped Rodri in protecting City's defence while frustrating United's midfield with his tackling and reading of the game.
Riyad Mahrez 6
Denied by De Gea's save in first half when he should have scored. Subbed for Ferran Torres midway through second half.
Kevin De Bruyne 7
The Belgian was behind all City's best work but was off target with two decent chances and looked frustrated at the end.
Raheem Sterling 5
Always probing with his skill and pace but still looking for his first career goal against United.
Gabriel Jesus 5
Kept quiet by Maguire and Lindelof and wasted only chance in first half when Mahrez put him in.
Substitutes:
Torres (for Mahrez 66th min) 5.
Booked: Fernandinho.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh.