Louis van Gaal is never one to pull his punches. The Manchester United manager certainly didn't mince words following the first meeting between his team and crosstown rivals Manchester City in the 2015 2016 season. "We don't have the luck," he said following the 2015 Manchester derby, arguing that his team should have won-and would have done just that, with better officiating on the field.

The highly-anticipated Manchester Derby ended in a scoreless draw, ruining a chance for Manchester United to leapfrog City and take the top spot in the 2015 2016 Premier League. Van Gaal blamed the loss on a key moment early in the second half, when a Raheem Sterling challenge on Ander Herrera arguably should have resulted in a penalty. The challenge was difficult to see, though, and officials ultimately didn't award the penalty.

Bad Luck for Manchester United

That challenge wasn't the only instance of Manchester United having tough luck during the Sunday, October 25th fixture. The Red Devils nearly scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the game, with on target shots from midfielder Jesse Lingard and defender Chris Smalling, respectively. But Lingard's shot hit the crossbar, and Man City's Joe Hart saved Smalling's. The match marked Hart's sixth clean sheet of the 2015 2016 Premier League campaign.

Manchester City, meanwhile, were lucky to escape the match without a loss. Leading up to this game, City had won four of the last five Manchester Derby matches. But the last game Manchester City Home Shirt 2015 - 2016between the two teams, an April game at Old Trafford, ended 4-2 in favor of United.

Sunday's game not only saw the two teams back on United's home turf but also saw Manchester City playing with a handicap. Indeed, the Sky Blues had to sideline five of their players for the game, including key cogs like Sergio Aguero and David Silva. Aguero, of course, was the top scorer for the entire Premier League last season, scoring 26 goals. This season, he's already netted six goals, though he'll unfortunately be off the pitch until late November, thanks to a hamstring injury.

City compensated for their offensive deficiencies by playing smart, compact football. The approach was successful for the Sky Blues, depriving United of a single attempt on goal during the first half of the match. Still, United beat City in terms of possession and-according to Louis van Gaal, at least, controlled the game for all 90 minutes.

A Rough Run for Rooney

Many soccer pundits are singling out Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney as United's weak link in the Manchester Derby game. Rooney turned 30 on Saturday, a day ahead of the City game, and was arguably looking his age on the soccer pitch on Sunday.

Rooney, playing his customary position of center forward during the Derby, was criticized for playing complacent, dull football for the majority of the game's 90 minutes. In contrast, Anthony Martial, United's youngest and perhaps most impressive talent of the 2015 2016 season so far, played with purpose, hunger, and strategy when he had the ball. Martial even set up Lingard for what was very nearly a game-winner. But since he was shunted to left, Martial didn't see the ball as much as many football fans wish he would.

As is, United are in fourth, with 20 points from 10 fixtures. City are still in first place, with 22 points. Arsenal also have 22 points, following a 2-1 win against Everton this past weekend, but are trailing behind the Sky Blues thanks to goal difference. West Ham round out the top three. Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea FC, meanwhile, are all the way back at 15th.

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