Manchester United 0 Manchester City 0: Five things we learnt, including Anthony Martial is wasted on the wing

ANALYSIS: Samuel Stevens looks at the lessons that can be taken from the Manchester derby

(2015 Getty Images)

Manchester United’s title credentials questioned again

Speaking to the media before the match, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal suggested his side would only be considered true title contenders if they could defeat Manchester City.

Following the intriguing, if occasionally sleepy, goalless draw with their city rivals, it is Manuel Pellegrini who can sleep easy with his side sat atop of the Premier League table.

“We are always having the target of champions,” the Dutchman said earlier in the week “That is of course important in our ambition.

"We have to be more consistent so next week when we win against Manchester City then we can say 'OK, now we think maybe about title aspirations”.

A glaring indication that the hosts have missed their opportunity to set down a marker to their title rivals in a time when West Ham United sit third and Chelsea languish just three places above the relegation zone, a frustrating afternoon ended amid muted cheers from the Stretford End.

A victory this afternoon, so nearly secured at the death as Chris Smalling tested Joe Hart at his near post before Jesse Lingard rattled the crossbar, would have convinced United supporters their season could yet reap more than just a fight to secure Champions League football yet again.

Anthony Martial is wasted on the wing

It is often the case that when a player proves he is adept at playing out of position, it quickly becomes acceptable to keep him there for the best interests of the team.

Anthony Martial, the most expensive teenager in the world, is liable to becoming the latest in a long line of players to fall victim to this peculiar phenomenon.

After showcasing his abilities on the left wing during the comfortable win against Everton last weekend, the young Frenchman started out wide this afternoon also.

Having played there for Monaco too, Van Gaal clearly believes it isn’t too much of an inconvenience for Martial to force the play inside if he wants to pose a credible goal threat.

Danny Welbeck is one of many former United stars who were forced wide to accommodate Wayne Rooney down the middle, much like Jamie Vardy is doing for England, but Martial’s talents demand that he be played in his preferred position eventually.

(2015 Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney turns 30 and sees his duties fluctuate

The chronic lack of form suffered by Rooney every few years is often an opportunity seldom turned down by his critics, effortlessly trying to discredit the United and England captain.

But the former Everton striker, who turned 30-years-old on Saturday, is an ever-changeable figure at the heart of Van Gaal’s dressing room, one who rarely aggravates in the manner he once did during his adolescent years.

Playing on despite clearly needing staples in his head during the first half, waiting for the ball to go out of play before seeking treatment, Rooney’s hunger is a force to be reckoned with.

While his manager’s insistence to support his preference to remain an out-and-out attacker may prove to destabilise the team in the long-run, it is at least understandable at present.

It is most telling, however, that his most memorable contributions came in front of David De Gea’s net rather than Joe Hart’s at the other end.

Wayne Rooney in action (GETTY IMAGES)

Kevin De Bruyne is ensnared in Marcos Rojo's shadow

It was a sight to behold as Kevin De Bruyne, the £51m new signing who has breezed back into life in the Premier League with City, was marshalled so effectively by Marcos Rojo.

The Belgian’s impotency in the wake of Rojo’s impressive defensive display became a reoccurring headache for City boss Pellegrini throughout the match.

First he tried switching De Bruyne with Raheem Sterling, to little effect, before introducing the much maligned Jesus Navas in the latter stages.

But Rojo was enjoying one of those afternoons where nothing would get past him. Had United squandered their clean sheet, it would have been a huge injustice to their left-back who delivered one of the best displays of his time at Old Trafford.

With a pivotal Champions League meeting with CSKA Moscow lying perilously on the horizon for Van Gaal’s men, it will come as great comfort that Rojo is in such a rich vein of form.

Van Gaal and Pellegrini agree on one thing

They may manage two of the fiercest rivals in English football and have wholeheartedly different philosophies towards management, but both Van Gaal and Pellegrini were agreed on one thing - this latest duel didn't meet expectations.

"We are back at the top of the table," the City boss said afterwards. "Unfortunately for the fans it was not a very attractive game. We are two creative teams but we could not do it today."

The Chilean's United counterpart wasn't inclined to disagree with his bleak assessment: "We had 90 minutes control of the game against a side like Manchester City. I cannot complain. But you want to win and we did not.

"We should have had a penalty on Ander Herrera. It is easy to see for me but I have a replay. The referee has one second.

"I always say we need the modern technology but I am the only one in the desert calling for it."