The Manchester rivals are rolling the clock back six years in a way neither desires.
A pair of draws on Saturday left the teams with their lowest English Premier League points tallies after five games since 2014.
City is on eight points after being held at West Ham to 1-1.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea, at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Michael ReganPool via AP)
United is a point worse off after a goalless encounter with Chelsea.
While City at least has the comfort of winning the title since it last started as badly — in 2018 and 2019 — United's heavy spending hasn't got them much closer to lifting the trophy since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.
Even Liverpool has managed to end its 30-year championship drought, and the title defense is back on the winning path. After being humiliated 7-2 by Aston Villa and drawing with Everton, the champion came from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 to go second behind Merseyside rival Everton.
Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham and Manchester City, at the London Olympic Stadium Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Justin Tellis, Pool via AP)
The Blades remain stuck on a single point along with Fulham, which lost to Crystal Palace 2-1.
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Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham and Manchester City, at the London Olympic Stadium Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Paul Childs, Pool via AP)
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham and Manchester City, at the London Olympic Stadium Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Catherine Ivill, Pool via AP)