Manchester United took on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, as Louis van Gaal's men sought to claim a victory to put themselves forward as genuine title contenders this term.
Both teams produced strong defensive showings in the first period, forcing fans to have to settle for a goalless first half at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal's charges were the dominant side in the second period and they might have won the game had Jesse Lingard not hit the crossbar late on, as City managed to hold on for a point away from home.
Here, Sports Mole rates all of the players involved in the Manchester derby.
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MANCHESTER UNITED
Goal
David de Gea: Had very little to do throughout the whole contest, but did distribute well from the back. Produced several pin-point kicks into his midfield and provided a safe outlet for his defence to find when under pressure. (6/10)
Defence
Antonio Valencia: A remarkable showing from the winger-turned-defender. He got forward at every opportunity for the hosts, and also did brilliantly to shackle Kevin De Bruyne to the point where he became non-existent in the second half. (8/10)
Phil Jones: Finally seems to be building the required partnership with Chris Smalling. The centre-back did very well to keep Wilfried Bony quiet, while also producing some clever reading of the game to thwart balls in behind him. (7/10)
Chris Smalling: Much like Jones, Smalling produced some excellent management of his position and appears to be developing into an impressive defender. Also broke forward several times and was unlucky not to find a winner late on when denied by Joe Hart down low. (7/10)
Marcos Rojo: The Argentine stuck to De Bruyne like a limpet and defended against him so well that Pellegrini was forced to switch the playmaker across to the other side of the pitch. Was also at the heart of most moves down the left and is seemingly nurturing something with Anthony Martial. (8/10)
Midfield
Morgan Schneiderlin: Was guilty of giving the ball away a little too often throughout the game, but did provide some much-needed steel in front of the United defence. Was a little careless with his passing and got away with some poor touches at times. (6/10)
Bastian Schweinsteiger: Arguably one of his best showings in a United shirt. He was at the base of most moves going forward and provided an air of calm in the middle. Got back to defend when required and turned defence into attack with some clever passing. (7/10)
Ander Herrera: Has taken to his role in a creative position with great enthusiasm and put together a number of incisive runs inside the City half. Might need to start putting together some more direct passes, as he was guilty of pushing things sideways at some moments. (7/10)
Juan Mata: Started brightly when dropping deep in the middle of the City half, although he faded quickly in the second period before being substituted for an impressive Lingard. (5/10)
Anthony Martial: The youngster lit the game up whenever he touched the ball and was perhaps misused out wide on the left. Whenever he was brought into the game he provided a creative spark, and was unlucky not to find an assist when Lingard hit the bar. (7/10)
Attack
Wayne Rooney: Had very little influence on proceedings and looked off the pace at times. The frontman was threatening when coming short in the first half, but he offered very little in front of goal. (5/10)
Substitutes
Jesse Lingard: Brought some increased energy into proceedings when replacing Mata in the second half. Showcased some of the benefits of using a winger instead of a playmaker like Mata on the right. Stretched the game and was unlucky not to find a winner for his side. (7/10)
Marouane Fellaini: Introduced into the middle and adapted very well to a tactically complicated contest. Put together some vital driving runs and almost provided an assist for Smalling with a knock-down at the back-post late on. (7/10)
Matteo Darmian: Had the tough ask of having to replace Valencia who had marked De Bruyne incredibly well. Took to his task well, though, and helped to see United home to a clean sheet.(6/10)
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MANCHESTER CITY
Goal
Joe Hart: Was threatened very little, but made a crucial stop to deny Smalling in the second half. Almost came undone following Lingard's flick, though. (6/10)
Defence
Bacary Sagna: Provided a decent barrier against the runs of Martial, but he was also caught out on a number of occasions - even when doubling up with some of his teammates. (6/10)
Vincent Kompany: Had Wayne Rooney in his back-pocket for much of the encounter. Appeared a little shaken when having to defend against the pace of Martial, who sold him short in the first half as the City skipper had to surrender a booking. (7/10)
Nicolas Otamendi: Arguably the difference at Old Trafford. He made a number of standout interceptions to deny United as they sought to probe forward in both the first and second halves. (8/10)
Aleksandar Kolarov: Added some balance to City in the place of Pablo Zabaleta. Ensured that Mata's threat was nullified, although he did find himself up against things when Lingard was introduced. (7/10)
Midfield
Fernandinho: The holding man was able to position himself well for much of the game in order to protect his defence, although he was unable to help City gain some control in midfield. (6/10)
Fernando: His role in the side was to enable Yaya Toure to break forward into space, but City were unable to muster much of the ball in the middle of the pitch. Was fairly effectual breaking up play and also got back well to provide some protection to his defenders. (7/10)
Yaya Toure: Started positively in the first half and was able to drive forward on a few memorable occasions. His lack of defensive skills left City vulnerable when under pressure and he was later substituted for Martín Demichelis. (6/10)
Kevin De Bruyne: Like Toure, the playmaker started positively in the first half, but once Marcos Rojo had worked him out there was little way back into the game for the former Wolfsburg man. He looked out of place at times as the United full-backs shut down his space. (6/10)
Raheem Sterling: His pace proved an issue for United in the first 15 minutes. But that threat soon disappeared when United took control of the ball and the winger offered very little out on the left. (5/10)
Attack
Wilfried Bony: His performance will cause Manuel Pellegrini a few problems now that they do not have Sergio Aguero. The frontman had very little impact on proceedings despite looking dangerous when City broke forward in the first half. Dropped out of the game and was replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho. (5/10)
Substitutes
Jesus Navas: Introduced to try and unsettle Rojo on the right flank, but was unable to see much of the ball as United pressed for a winning goal. (6/10)
Kelechi Iheanacho: Showed glimpses of what he could be about in the future. A strong shove on Phil Jones almost had City in towards the end of the game, only for Rojo to recover for the hosts. (6/10)
Martín Demichelis: Brought on to add some defensive strength in the middle, but had very little time to have an impact on the game. (6/10)
Christopher Dodd
