Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal was critical of his side’s lacklustre display in what he hinted was a timid goalless draw against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford. “We felt as the game went on and they couldn’t score, they were not so dominant anymore”. That means they head to Wolfsburg on December 8 having to win to top the group and bad news United fans, the German outfit have yet to lose at home in the UCL or Bundesliga this season.
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Their season has been based on rock solid defensive rigidity and last night’s shut out was their seventh clean sheet in nine matches, dating back to last month’s 3-0 reverse against Arsenal.
But the changes had precious little effect on a United side sadly lacking in inspiration and tempo on the tenth anniversary of the great George Best’s death. It was a touching tribute to United’s iconic No 7, and it was accompanied by the unveiling of a new banner reading “Georgie…”
He has since won three Federation Internationale de Football Association World Player of the year in addition to breaking legend Raul’s goal record of 323 goals at Real Madrid.
“But in the second we had the chance of Jesse Lingard especially”.
Two good chances fell to Martial, but he saw a toed effort kicked away by Zoet after Lingard’s shot had been deflected into his path and he was also thwarted by the visiting goalkeeper in first-half stoppage-time.
Given their struggles in attack, it was curious that Juan Mata was not introduced until the 85th minute.
‘He doesn’t look bothered if he misses a chance.
They have now picked up four 0-0 draws from their previous seven games in all competitions so far this term as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Leicester City this weekend.
Unfortunately for United, Depay does not have the finishing touch or class of Best. He told BT Sport that United are set up too defensively and do not add enough in attack. Van Gaal, who used to manage Moreno at AZ, urged his players not to target the Mexican on Wednesday, but there seems little doubt the player will get booed by the United faithful even though he visited Shaw in hospital two days after the match.
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United have not conceded a goal in their last five home games but have only scored six in their last eight games anywhere and captain Wayne Rooney admitted after Wednesday’s match that they needed to be more “ruthless”.
