Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Sunday's goalless draw against Manchester City is a good result for his team.
In a game with very little goal-scoring opportunities, the Red Devils fought hard to keep their unbeaten home run intact.
They will again be in action at Old Trafford on Wednesday when they host Middlesbrough in the League Cup.
"I am very proud of my players because I think we played 90 minutes of a tough game," van Gaal told reporters.
"Both sides played a very tactical game. It was very compact and organised, that is how Manchester City played against us. They adapted the line-up against us.
"Against Sevilla in the Champions League, they played with two strikers and now they played with one, with one more player in midfield, so it was a tough game.
"We created more chances but we didn't finish them and that is the disappointment because you must win these kinds of games for the fans.
"It is the derby and when you are so focused and so concentrated like we were today then, yeah, you deserve to win. But sometimes you don't get what you deserve.
"[If we are title contenders?] When you see this game, I think the fans were also very proud of the players because, when I go back to the dressing room, they were applauding us.
"Also, the fans have seen the way we have played and it was a very controlled game from Manchester United. They are also disappointed, like me, because you have to win against these kind of teams, also for the fans, but the way we have played gives hope for the future."
