Attacking dilemmas, an injury crisis and a new manager: Can City recover?

Manchester United claim bragging rights as City face a mounting list of issues to resolve in their quest for domestic and European domination

Credit: Getty Images

There is just something about a derby. And this Manchester edition, the fourth we have seen this season, may have been the most thrilling we have seen for quite some time. The score alone will tell you that this tie ended in a draw, but look deeper and you will find that Manchester is well and truly red.

The task was simple for Man City: beat Man United and the race for the Champions League goes down to the final day. There is every chance Arsenal will better Marc Skinner’s side on the final day and City would surely have backed themselves to get a result against the already-relegated Crystal Palace and possibly vault their local rivals into third spot.

Having Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood back in the starting line-up for the first time since their injuries seemed talismanic; their two best players back and a chance to salvage something from an otherwise painful season. For City, a lifeline when they needed it most.

And yet, 90 minutes later, the scene at Old Trafford would be of a heartbroken City, who came close, but so very far indeed.