Manchester United and Chelsea played out a 0-0 draw under the floodlights at Old Trafford, as the Reds stayed in sixth place in the Barclays Premier League.
Both sides had clear opportunities to win the game and Louis van Gaal’s men will be frustrated not to have capitalised on some fine first-half play.
The boss was given a much-needed boost before kick-off with both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian returning to the side, following suspension and injury respectively. Wayne Rooney and Morgan Schneiderlin were also reinstated to the Reds’ XI as Memphis, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones all moved to the bench.
A raucous atmosphere greeted the referee’s whistle as the home side began very much on the front foot – the Reds had a point to prove. Indeed, not two minutes had passed before van Gaal’s men created an opening as Juan Mata’s stinging drive crashed against the post, with Thibaut Courtois well beaten. A brief period of pressure followed, with United evidently desperate to inflict an early blow on the visitors, but it was Guus Hiddink’s men who would threaten next.
