Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Gets Derby Tactics Right as Man Utd Respond to Leipzig Defeat With Show of Defensive Character

19 December marks two years since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to Manchester United as head coach, and if there was a week that best encapsulated his reign so far, perhaps it's been this past one.

After an embarrassing exit in the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig, United responded with just enough character in the Manchester derby to keep calls for the manager's head at bay, with a spirited display earning a point in a 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

Out of the two sides, United probably came the closest to edging it after Marcus Rashford appeared to have won a penalty, but it was disallowed for offside. City would stamp their authority on the game in the second half, controlling possession, but United held firm, and for a side that has demonstrated glaring defensive fragilities over the course of the last few games, that was encouraging to see.

Solskjaer is no stranger to people doubting his tactical acumen, but Manchester City - seeking their sixth win a row - were stifled here. With United setting up in a diamond midfield, the visitors struggled to pass through the lines, and while United weren't able to conjure up much at the other end, a clean sheet suggests the system just about did its job.

City still had chances, with Kevin De Bruyne blasting over an inviting rebound in the first half. But their strengths were negated by what became a decidedly conservative approach from United, and with that came an increasing sense of exasperation for the away side.

That's not to say City weren't prepared for a red roadblock. De Bruyne, in his pre-match interview, had spoken about how his side were wary of such an approach from their city rivals, given the fact that Solskjaer's men had come out on top in three of the last four derbies employing that strategy.

But City were far too ponderous, and maintaining organisation did not prove too difficult a challenge for United as a result.

It was United who looked the bigger threat early on. They have made a habit of shooting themselves in the foot while the game is still in its infancy, going down early in wins against West Ham United and Southampton before it all came unstuck against Leipzig, but here was a positive, focused start, and one that had City struggling to find their rhythm.

Pep Guardiola's side would grow in stature as the game progressed but, still, United were difficult to break down, and a point against a City team in red-hot form was the least they deserved.

That's not to say it was a complete performance from United at Old Trafford - far from it. Aside from a zestful opening ten minutes, United lacked ambition, turning the headline fixture of the Premier League weekend into somewhat of a dour affair.

It's one win in six at home now, as well, and for a side with ambitions of challenging at the top end of the table, that is unacceptable.

But after a turbulent week, at least it wasn't another disaster. Paul Pogba, whose future has been under the spotlight after comments from his agent, Mino Raiola, performed well. As did Bruno Fernandes, and Fred - who soldiered on after picking up a hip injury early in the game.

There are still major issues to address, most notably the lack of consistency in their performances. It's been difficult to understand what United really are this season, with games like the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and the 5-0 win over Leipzig leaving you scrambling for explanations. Meanwhile, the exact proportion of that chaos that is attributable to Solskjaer's constant changes of system continues to be a source of debate.

For now, though, his side are just about staying afloat.