Van der Sar slams 'defensive' City

Van der Sar slams 'defensive' City

Published Nov. 11, 2010 2:52 p.m. ET

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has attacked City's negative tactics in Wednesday night's derby-day bore draw.

The first goalless stalemate since 2004 was a massive let-down after a huge build up.

It leaves Manchester United four points adrift of leaders Chelsea, with City three points further back in fourth spot.

And for that, van der Sar blames City, who he felt did not even try to win the game.

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"I don't think it was a good point for us," said the Dutch veteran. "The game was quite one-sided. We got the ball on the floor and passed it from player to player but we didn't create a lot because they shut us off well defensively.

"But City didn't really come forward and leave their defensive position. They were clearly aiming for a point and hoping for more whereas we really wanted to win and tried to play like that.

"It didn't really materialise for us but they were more defensive."

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson could be without three more key men for United's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Paul Scholes definitely misses the Villa Park encounter after collecting his fifth booking of the season at Eastlands while Ferguson has also ruled young Brazilian defender Rafael out of his plans after he picked up a dead leg.

In addition, Patrice Evra was forced off with an ankle injury that will be assessed before Ferguson finds out what chance the Frenchman has of being involved against Gerard Houllier's team, although it does not look good.

"Rafael is a dead leg," revealed Ferguson. "He will miss Saturday, of course, but it is not so bad.

"Patrice has an ankle injury, which we will assess (on Thursday)."

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