Manchester United and Man City are paying the price for the same mistake - dismal draw proved it

When the derby day final whistle sounded there was almost a collective sigh amid a stadium hush. It was over. Those inside Old Trafford could be forgiven for wondering whether it was worth it all starting.

Vintage stuff this was not. No goals, no drama and nothing to set hearts racing. "It looks like it's Sunday afternoon and they're going to go for a roast dinner together now," quipped Gary Neville.

Manchester United have underwhelmed all season while Manchester City have been far below their high standards for much of the campaign.

Perhaps then, the 90-plus minutes of Sunday's Manchester derby was to be expected. Neither side looked fluid or fearsome with the play pedestrian and the atmosphere understandably flat. It was more pre-season than Premier League.

The two sides have lost 22 top-flight matches between them this term and for large parts it seemed both were more concerned about avoiding defeat than chasing the victory.

The first half was woeful and while the second period had a little more gusto, it was difficult to find anything for either side to be enthused by.

But then this is two teams in transition. United under Ruben Amorim are trying to adapt to a new-ish manager and new-ish methods while City have an end of era feel to them typified by Kevin De Bruyne's announcement last week that he will be departing the Etihad after a dominant decade with the club.

Both need new signings and both will surely have to spend in the summer if they are to improve next term.

City's issue is the lesser evil and easier to solve. The Blues have enough young talent to build another fine side. They should have strengthened last summer on the back of a fourth straight Premier League title but Pep Guardiola felt his ageing squad had one more campaign in them. It was a rare mis-step from one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen.

The rebuild began in January with £125million-plus on new signings, and will surely accelerate in the summer. City are well-placed to strike in the market given their strong financial position.

United, on the other hand, are not. They are treading a fine line with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules and have precious little room to manoeuvre. Amorim spoke last week about the need for a big signing or two, but added his and the club's definition of 'big' may differ to that of the supporters.

The Reds also need squad surgery, a result of a decade of recruitment woes, muddled thinking, a mix of managers and Amorim's requirements being vastly different to that of his predecessor, Erik ten Hag. The Old Trafford fix is not a quick one, but the first steps must be made this summer.

Both clubs are paying the price for recruitment mistakes. Both need to find solutions.

Manchester has been the dominant city of the Premier League era. This derby was dormant.