Helpless Fergie counts cost

Even then, United had more than enough chances to secure a victory that would have eased the pain of last weekend's defeat at Portsmouth. Saha saw an effort cleared off the line by the excellent Stephen Jordan, making only his second Premiership start, and Alan Smith had a bicycle-kick blocked by Steve McManaman. Smith later made a challenge on Richard Dunne that left him with a second booking and the 10th red card of a turbulent career.

The foolish Smith will miss one match, but it is the three-match ban Van Nistelrooy received after the Arsenal game last month that is ultimately troubling United.

Ferguson might have torn into those who failed to turn 67 per cent of the possession into precious points yesterday but if the hairdryer was switched on in the United dressing room, his Dutch striker also deserved a blast.

If four goals against Sparta Prague were worthy of celebration during the week, the ban Van Nistelrooy picked up for cynically stamping on Ashley Cole is not something United will savour when his colleagues struggle so much in his absence.

In fairness to City, who were most unlike a side one would normally associate with Kevin Keegan, those left to carry the burden did encounter defenders who possessed extraordinary resilience.

For the opening 45 minutes, United were as dominant as they have been in Manchester for the last 12 years, but in Dunne, Distin, Jordan and Danny Mills the visitors put up a remarkable fight. At times this became a bad-tempered affair, but a fine defensive demonstration it remained.

Organised in a 4-5-1 formation that left Nicolas Anelka as a lone attacker, City dug in and displayed the kind of discipline that has so often proved beyond them. 'It was different from what I've ever asked them to do,' admitted Keegan afterwards. Clearly they learn fast.

Not that it was any consolation as United continue to stumble through a season that threatens to end in crushing disappointment, and perhaps even - dare it be said - Ferguson's retirement. Maybe it is too early to make such predictions, but one FA Cup in two years and Ferguson might just conclude it is time to move upstairs. It was certainly a forlorn-looking manager who eventually appeared before the TV cameras last night.

United appeared to have the appetite for a derby contest. City's players were struck by a ball as they indulged in their pre-match huddle and the ferocity of Roy Keane's opening challenge reminded those present what was at stake. Keane said in yesterday's newspapers that he was trying to calm down. That tackle on Willo Flood brought him the first yellow card of the game.

His side's failure to score in the opening 45 minutes prompted Ferguson to make changes. Ryan Giggs replaced Miller and Wayne Rooney went on for Paul Scholes. But, to Ferguson's dismay, their efforts were to no avail.

City played with more adventure in the second half, McManaman wasting their best chance, but the former Real Madrid midfielder did better when he blocked Smith's overhead kick and a United side down to 10 men winced again when Saha sent a close-range header agonisingly wide.

Short of players at the final whistle, more worryingly, they were also short of points.