Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by neighbours United in what was a dismal Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

Pep Guardiola’s side had most of the play but created very few clear-cut chances, with their best falling to striker Sergio Aguero in the first half, only for the 28-year-old to strike the post from point-blank range.

United shot-stopper David De Gea made saves from Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov as the hosts tried to unlock a stubborn and resilient Red Devils backline, while Jose Mourinho’s men did have a chance of their own when Ander Herrera was unmarked but could only head wide at the back post.

The draw means that we are no closer to knowing who will be playing in the Champions League next season, with City a point clear of their neighbours in fourth with just five games of the season remaining.

Guardiola’s men have arguably got the easier run in, with home clashes against Crystal Palace, Leicester, and West Brom to follow, yet United are still in the Europa League and know that victory in that competition would secure them a return to Europe’s elite competition.

So, in what was a relatively disappointing Manchester derby, here is What’s Hot and What’s Not from Thursday evening at the Etihad…

HOT – United rearguard

It was a bore and quite dismal game at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, and much of that was down to the rearguard effort and overall defensive set-up from United.

And their backline deserves much credit for thwarting a City attack to very few clear-cut chances.

Eric Bailly and Daley Blind was excellent at the heart of the United defence, while Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian did a decent job of frustrating the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling out wide.

And if and when the Red Devils defence was breached, goalkeeper David De Gea made some key saves to keep the visitors in the contest.

Mourinho’s defensive set-up can only be as good as his players, and their rearguard effort was certainly up to scratch to take a key point away from the Etihad on Thursday.

NOT – Marouane Fellaini

What was Marouane Fellaini doing?

The Belgium international had been booked 19 seconds before he stuck his head into Aguero’s face, yet still proceeded to a moment of absolute stupidity that could have easily cost United a point.

The 29-year-old let things get to him by headbutting Aguero, with the Argentine far from happy with another niggling foul on him by the United man, yet Fellaini’s stupid moment of madness was inexcusable.

It almost cost United as well, as Jesus had the ball in the net but was flagged offside in added time, yet it does hinder the Red Devils in their fixture pile-up over the coming weeks, with Fellaini set for three games on the sidelines.

HOT – Vincent Kompany

Although he didn’t have a great deal to do on Thursday, the performance of City defender Vincent Kompany would have been a huge delight to the home supporters at the Etihad.

The Belgium international has struggled with injury for the best part of two seasons now, but back-to-back impressive displays against first Arsenal and now United has underlined his status as one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs.

More importantly though, the 31-year-old appears to have come through the last few weeks unscathed, which will be a massive boost to a City side that have struggled at the back this term, although looked assured and stronger for Kompany’s presence against United.

NOT – Sergio Aguero

City didn’t create too many clear-cut opportunities against United, but when they did get into good positions, Sergio Aguero was not at his best to take advantage.

The 28-year-old, scorer of 119 Premier League goals, wasn’t clinical enough to help City break down a stubborn United at the Etihad – the Argentine international somehow struck the post from point-blank range in the first half with just De Gea to beat, while he did force the United shot-stopper into a save thereafter, albeit it was relatively routine for the Spaniard.

His movement caused United a few issues but he never really linked up well with the likes of Sane and Sterling, with it clear how much the hosts missed the creativity and intelligence of David Silva against the Red Devils.

It wasn’t Aguero’s best evening, and if he was perhaps slightly sharper and more clinical in front of goal, City would likely have got the three points.