By Chris O'Brien / David Hobbs
October 16 2004

It was the case of prentice getting one over the master on Saturday afternoon as former Old Trafford defender Steve Bruce and his Birmingham City side held Manchester United to a goalless draw at St. Andrews. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith and Louis Saha were all in the same starting XI.

Bruce's Birmingham Hold United

It was the case of prentice getting one over the master on Saturday afternoon as former Old Trafford defender Steve Bruce and his Birmingham City side held Manchester United to a goalless draw at St. Andrews.

The Red Devils were just 1 away league game away from 100 away games in the league without a goalless draw – an amazing statistic that has now been terminated.

Sir Alex Ferguson gambled on playing Alan Smith in midfield, paring Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha upfront together and handing Wayne Rooney just a place on the substitutes bench. Kleberson started in midfield whilst Quinton Fortune made his return from injury.

However, it could be said the United boss was guilty of playing too much of an attacking line-up for Saturday's early Premiership kick-off. Plenty of finishing power was on show, but the visitors struggled to create ample chances against a battling Birmingham side. It was the Midlands side that had the better chances, with Roy Carroll doing well to deny Emile Heskey either side of the interval.

The Blues were lucky to escape caution in the early exchanges as goalkeeper Maik Taylor clearly picked up a Mario Melchiot back pass only for the referee to wave play on. At the other end, his Northern Irish counterpart was forced to make a handful of saves notably from former Liverpool donkey Heskey.

United were matching Steve Bruce's side for possession, but were not creating enough chances. The best opportunity for a punchless United came via Ruud Van Nistelrooy 10 minutes prior to the half-time break. Quinton Fortune sent in an accurate cross to the Netherlands striker, but his close range effort was well saved by Taylor.

Birmingham were building in confidence all the time, and started the second-half stronger. Bruce introduced Darren Anderton for his first Premiership appearance at St.Andrew's. Supporters hope the right winger, who replaced Jesper Gronkjaer, can kick-start his career with the Blues if he can afford more frustrating injuries which have dogged the career of the England international.

Kleberson, once again poor, was brought off after an hour for the expected introduction of £30million signing Wayne Rooney, However, the Liverpudlian was quite ineffective as a solid Birmingham defence kept United chances to a minimal amount. Paul Scholes was sent on after 75 minutes for the impressive Ronaldo, but despite United's 'all out attack' formation the Red Devils failed to break the deadlock. Van Nistelrooy went close as the game drew to a close, and Smith had a chance with a long-range drive but the game ended goalless with the point the fair result for both sides.

The afternoon's results leave United in sixth place, with 14 points from the opening 9 Premiership fixtures. Arsenal, who defeated 10/1 outsiders Aston Villa 3-1 at Highbury, are now 11 points ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Should they win at Old Trafford next weekend they will have doubled out points tally and will have completed an incredible 50-match run without defeat in the Football League.

      Full Time - Birmingham City 0-0 Manchester United
                        Attendance - 29,221

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Gray, Johnson (Tebily 90), Dunn, Savage, Gronkjaer (Anderton 45), Heskey, Yorke (Clapham 90).

Manchester United: Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Fortune, Smith, Kleberson (Rooney 59), Keane, Ronaldo (Scholes 77), Saha, van Nistelrooy.