MAN UNITED 0, CHELSEA 0
Manchester United ended a run of four straight defeats – their worst run since 1961 – but were unable to post a badly-needed victory against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Reds’ winless sequence now stretches to eight games – not since 1989/90 have they endured such a barren run – and they have recorded only three victories in their last 15 games.
This was also the 11th goalless draw on Louis van Gaal’s reign and the sixth since the end of October and the ninth time they have fired a blank in the current campaign.
These are a set of damning statistics though, in fairness, United’s manager adopted a far more bold and adventurous style of play against fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea.
It was far more pleasing to the eye as they conjured a creditable 12 goal attempts, though only two were on target.
And but for a masterclass of goalkeeping from David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois, there would have been goals in this match as they proved to be two of the world’s top stoppers.
De Gea made three saves of distinction and Courtois two while the Reds were also denied twice by the frame of the goal in what was a far from dull and dreary goalless encounter as the Reds remain sixth in the table.
Van Gaal, disappointed by his side’s failure to post a victory, hinted he is ready to battle on.
He said: “The crisis is the environment and that is making the crisis.
“Inside the club, the players are willing to fight for every metre, the manager is willing to fight, the staff is willing to fight and the board has confidence in the manager and staff.
“It is a crisis for me and the players that we have not won for so many games.
“Of course I fear being sacked because in this crazy world of football it can happen every day. If it can happen to Jose Mourinho, it can happen to me.”
Of the game, van Gaal explained: “I am a little frustrated we didn’t score as we dominated the game, had 70-per-cent of possession, created chances, had shots on goal, beaten the keeper and hit the bar, inside of the post and their keeper has made a fantastic save. Also David De Gea made a very good save.
“We do not forget also we had two penalty cases when Juan Mata was fouled and a handball again William that I saw from the bench and also on video that it was hand to ball and not ball to hand.
“You can say we were unlucky, but you cannot say too much about that as manager. We forced luck today, but we were a bit unlucky in spirit.”
Hiddink admitted his Chelsea side is still in a relegation battle as it is only three points clear of the relegation places.
United made four changes from the side that kicked off at Stoke City on Boxing Day.
Bastian Schweinsteiger returned after suspension while there were also recalls for Wayne Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian.
Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones and Memphis Depay were the players to lose out.
Chelsea, unbeaten in their last five games against United, were without the suspended Diego Costa and unwell Cesc Fabregas as Hiddink began without a recognised striker in his side with Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao also ruled out.
Edin Hazard and Oscar were the visitors’ two most advanced players.
United began with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Wayne Rooney up top on his own and Anthony Martial wide left.
The Reds made a bright start striking the crossbar after two minutes when Rooney cut the ball back for Juan Mata to take aim.
Chelsea then went close when John Terry’s header from William’s corner brought a brilliant save from De Gea.
United were denied by the woodwork for a second time after 16 minutes when Ander Herrera released Martial who cut in from the left and saw a shot strike the base of the upright and fly across the face of goal.
There was also a shout for a penalty midway through the half when Martial went down in the box, but there was no contact from Kurt Zouma as he was looking for a spot kick.
United went close again just short of the half hour when Rooney’s 30-yard drive forced a great tip over from Courtois.
A brilliant double save by De Gea denied both Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta’s follow-up ensured it remained goalless three minutes into the second period.
It was then Courtois’ turn to excel as he made a point-blank block to deny Herrera from three yards as he looked certain to convert a low cross from Martial.
Chelsea ought to have taken the lead just after the hour after a break. Pedro released Namanja Matic who raced clear but, with only De Gea to beat, blazed over from 16 yards.
United could easily have been awarded a penalty had referee Martin Atkinson spotted a handball in the box by William.
The Reds made their first change with 20 minutes left when Darmian was replaced at left back by young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
And that was soon followed by Memphis Depay replacing Juan Mata and Phil Jones taking over from Daley Blind.
United had a great chance to snatch victory with four minutes left when Rooney blazed over at the far post from an excellent cross from Borthwick-Jackson, but the game seemed destined to end goalless.