Frank Lampard insists Manchester United played for a draw at the Etihad against Manchester City on Thursday.
United earned a goalless draw at their Manchester rivals with a dogged display, though their task was made harder late on with Marouane Fellaini's sending off for a coming together of heads with Sergio Aguero.
Though United manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports after the game that they wanted to attack more, Lampard insisted the Portuguese boss did not want to go toe-to-toe with City.
Lampard said in the Sky Sports studios: "I'm slightly surprised. We did feel that he was going to defend deep. They definitely played for that. They didn't overcommit players at any stage. I think Martial played like a left-back at times.
"I give real credit to the midfield - not to Fellaini for what happened at the end - Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera worked their socks off. The back four moved from side to side.
"When you look at the table, maybe you see why they played for it, as the top four is in their hands still.
"I don't think Mourinho wanted to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City tonight. He looked at the bigger picture. They got the result they wanted, and they're happy in the dressing room, for sure."
Jamie Carragher echoed Lampard's words, saying Mourinho nullified Pep Guardiola, something he has done on numerous occasions to big managers in recent years.
"He's come here to do a job. Since Mourinho came back to England for his second stint, he's had six 0-0s away from home against the top six. So there's nobody better than him at going there and getting the job done.
"You had Darmian and Valencia not too interested in getting involved in the play in attacking situations, and that's why United had such little possession, because they had so little options for a pass.
"Again, it's Mourinho nullifying a big manager in a big game, and it leaves their top four chances in their hands."
Former United defender Gary Neville says United are at step one of two when it comes to going away to top-six sides, and says he expects Mourinho's team to be winning these types of games 1-0 in a year's time.
"I think if I'm sat here in 12 months' time, the next stage [for United] is to go there and win these games. That seems to be a little bit further away.
"Jose would probably say they've failed in an attacking sense, because they didn't do what they wanted to do, and that is to hurt Manchester City on the counter attack."