By Chris O'Brien
November 23 2005

Manchester United once again drew a blank in Europe and failed to end Villarreal's unbeaten Champions League record with a poor 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. Qualification hangs in the balance and the Red Devils could need victory against old rivals Benfica if they are to reach the knock-out phase.

Manchester United were left frustrated by unbeaten Villarreal and once again failed to hit the target in Europe. A lack of creativity proved costly and the Red Devils were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw keeping qualification hopes very much in the balance.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men have scored in only one of their five Champions League games to date, and showed a distinct lack of firepower against the group leaders. However, despite another poor result, United will qualify if they win in Benfica in a fortnight and in the likely event of Villarreal beating Lille at home, a draw would be enough to see the club through to the last sixteen.

This was a game United really needed to win to ease their fears of an early European exit. It didn't show. The performance was subdued and the midfield showed a lack of ambition, with displays from Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney one of very few highlights for the hosts. It was Rooney who had the first opportunity of the game, skilfully bringing down a Ronaldo cross only for 'keeper Mariano Barbosa to deny the youngster at his feet.

United made a pleasing start and pushed forward in numbers. Possession was aplenty but few clear-but chances were being created and a stubborn Villarreal side were frustrating the favourites by giving very little away. This continued throughout the opening period and fans, growing increasingly frustrated, voiced their anger at Roy Keane's recent departure with a songbook of chants for the Irishman.

United's lack of chances continued into the second-half, prompting changes from Sir Alex Ferguson. Park Ji-Sung was introduced to replace the quiet Darren Fletcher in an attempt to inject some much-needed urgency and creativity into midfield. Alan Smith looked uncomfortable in the holding midfield role and looks a much better player in his traditional striking position, whilst Paul Scholes did little to impress.

Villarreal were growing in confidence as the game went on and were beginning to look dangerous on the break. The Spaniards would have taken a point before kick-off but could have snatched the game with United lapsing concentration on occasions. Had influential playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and free-scoring ex-Red Diego Forlan not been absent it could have been so much worse for United.

With the midfield's creativity seriously lacking, it was Wesley Brown who provided perhaps United's best chance of the second-half. The Englishman whipped in a superb cross to the below-par Ronaldo, but he miscued a header that flew well wide of goal. That was Brown's final contribution of the game, replaced by Gary Neville who received a superb reception having spent a long spell in the treatment room. It was great to see our potential new captain back in action.

Desperation was starting to kick-in as Louis Saha, also making a comeback from injury, replaced the mediocre Smith as United went 4-3-3. The goal never came though Rooney, perhaps United's best player, kept fighting and nearly snatched the win with a volley that went inches wide in the closing stages. His performance must be applauded, but on the whole United were mediocre.

Luckily, Lille and Benfica also drew a blank in France meaning United's chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages are no worse off. Victory in Portugal will secure qualification, though a draw will be enough if Villarreal do the business over Lille in Spain. Teams finishing on equal points are separated first by results against eachother, meaning United need to eclipse Lillie's points total to supersede them, and if that cannot decide the higher finisher then position is decided by goal difference. It promises to be a nervous Wednesday in early December. Group D now stands as follows:

Full Time - Manchester United 0-0 Villarreal
Attendance - 67,471

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown (Neville 73), Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fletcher (Park 53), Smith (Saha 81), Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy.
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Richardson, Pique, Rossi.

Villarreal C.F: Barbosa, Javi Venta, Rodriguez, Pena, Arruabarrena, Roger (Hector Font 65), Tacchinardi (Josico 77), Senna, Sorin, Figueroa (Xisco Nadal 86), Jose Mari.
Substitutes Not Used: Viera, Arzo, Kromkamp, Santi Cazorla.