The Citizens made four changes, as they recalled Aubrey Ngoma, Thabo Nodada, Keanu Cupido and Mduduzi Mdantsane while Maritzburg were unchanged, with Judas Moseamedi and Thabiso Kutumela leading the line.
City were on the front foot in the early exchanges, as Fagrie Lakay came very close to giving them the lead in the seventh minute with a close-range header that missed slightly over the bar.
The hosts had another chance to capitalise on their sustained pressure after Ngoma broke away unmarked on the left side of the box but he flashed a strike just wide across the face of goal.
Terrence Mashego also had a chance to break the deadlock for Diogo Peral's charges in the 24th minute after a through ball by Ngoma on the left side of the box but his strike across goal missed wide.
Maritzburg had a breather in the closing phase of the first stanza, pinning City back in their own half but they did not have the final product, as the first stanza ended goalless.
Ernst Middendorp made a tactical change at half-time, bringing on Thobeka Zondi in place of Moseamedi and with the game getting tighter, Peral also made a change just before the hour-mark, bringing on Bradley Ralani in place of Ngoma for fresh legs in attack.
The Team of Choice were reduced to ten men in the 68th minute after Fares Hachi got a second booking for a challenge on Nadada and was sent off and Middendorp reacted immediately as he brought on Daniel Morgan in place of Zondi to plug the gap at left back.
The Citizens made an attacking change in the last three minutes, as Abdul Ajagun replaced Thato Mokeke but they still could not carve out openings, as United held on to move four points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
City: Leeuwenburgh, Martin, Fielies, Cupido, Mashego, Mokeke, Makola, Nodada, Lakay, Ngoma, Mdantsane.
Subs: Anderson, Mobara, Ralani, Zulu, Roberts, Ajagun, Goedeman.
Maritzburg: Engelhardt, Rae, Hachi, Daniels, Stevic, Claasen, Tlolane, Ntshangase, Graham, Kutumela, Moseamedi
Subs: Mpandle, Allie, Mngonyama, Shandu, Ismail, Morgan, Modise, Buthelezi, Zondi