Old Trafford stalemate sets up last-day deciders
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
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Manchester United 0-0 PSV
Louis van Gaal's team passed up the chance to qualify for the last 16 with a game to spare as PSV kept their own hopes alive.
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- Manchester United miss chance to seal last-16 spot with match to spare
- United stretch unbeaten run to nine matches, PSV to seven
- PSV fans unfurl "Get well soon" banner for Luke Shaw
- Final Group B games: Wolfsburg v United, PSV v CSKA Moskva (8 December)
Manchester United passed up the chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as PSV Eindhoven earned a deserved draw at Old Trafford to keep their own hopes alive.
With Wolfsburg winning in the other Group B match, United dropped to second in the group, a point behind the German team who they face on matchday six. PSV sit third with one point less than United.
United had PSV penned in their half for much of the opening quarter but Jeroen Zoet remained untroubled. Jesse Lingard might have changed that when Anthony Martial let a Wayne Rooney ball pass through his legs and into Lingard's stride, but the young winger's touch was too heavy and he failed to profit.
Without building up a head of steam, United had a series of half-chances. Morgan Schneiderlin got his boot to Daley Blind's corner close to goal but Zoet saved. The goalkeeper then kept out Martial's shot and moments before the interval Martial was close again, driving in a fierce near-post shot which Zoet once more saved with his legs.
PSV had not won away from home in the UEFA Champions League since November 2007 and they arrived in Manchester without a point on their travels in Group B. There was a nice gesture from their supporters before kick-off as they unfurled a flag with a "Get well soon" message for United's Luke Shaw, who was injured when the teams met in Eindhoven.
The visitors were not helped by the early loss of winger Luciano Narsingh to an apparent hamstring injury, Gastón Pereiro taking his place, yet they grew into the game. Luuk de Jong worked hard to provide a focal point for their attack and Jorrit Hendrix, one of their influential midfield trio, swivelled and tested David De Gea with a shot.
Although Lingard went close with a glancing header just after the break, Louis van Gaal made a double change just before the hour, sending on Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini for Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Young supplied some dangerous crosses and from one, Lindgard's shot flew over. PSV were now playing with increasing confidence and the visitors finished the stronger, but Jürgen Locadia rushed his shot from one of several promising counters and with it their best chance went begging.
Key player: Andrés Guardado
The old adage that there is no substitute for experience rang true in the case of PSV's Andrés Guardado, the oldest player in Phillip Cocu's team at 29. The Mexican used all his knowhow in midfield, working impressively in tandem with the lively Davy Pröpper.
Best remembered
Today was the tenth anniversary of the death of George Best, the great United No7 of the 1960s. The home fans remembered him with a new banner – "Georgie … Simply The Best" – and also by lighting up Old Trafford with the lights of their mobile phones in the seventh minute.
Disappointing night for Depay
The current incumbent of that No7 shirt, Memphis Depay, had a quiet evening against his former club. He might have scored a spectacular goal in the Premier League last weekend but he failed to impose himself here and it was no surprise when Young came on in his place. It was a more encouraging evening for the home-grown winger Lingard even if he fluffed the best chance of the second half.