MAN UNITED 0, NEWCASTLE UNITED 0.
Manchester United endured a frustrating afternoon as they were held to a goalless draw against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
The Reds surrendered their 100-per-cent record in the Barclays Premier League after lacking a cutting edge against the Geordies.
And it was a tactical triumph for Steve McClaren, Sir Alex Ferguson’s No 2 during the treble-winning campaign, on his return to his former club.
McClaren succeeded in stifling United who have managed to score only two goals in their first three league games as their failings in the final third of the pitch were glaring obvious.
Striker and captain Wayne Rooney, who earlier this week admitted he was struggling for form, again fired a blank – he has now not scored in his last 10 games for United.
United manager Louis van Gaal took positives from the game declaring: “I am satisfied with the performance, but not the result, and that’s the difference.
“We created lots of chances and only gave two away. We have to win and not to reward yourself at home is a pity.”
Van Gaal added that Rooney scored but it was not given saying it was a matter of inches and referees and their assistants need “modern equipment” to help them do their jobs.
McClaren pinpointed surviving the first 20 minutes as the key to their success.
He said: “After playing in Europe, we know it is difficult for teams and their need to score in the first 20/30 minutes.
“We survived, grew into the game and, with better football, could have nicked it.”
McClaren was delighted with his side’s performance and also the result.
“We were well organised and disciplined, everything you need away from home. You also need luck, and we also had that,” he added.
5There was a first start for summer signing Bastian Schweinsteiger as the former Bayern Munich player replaced Michael Carrick, the one change from the side that kicked off Tuesday’s Champions League play-off round game against Club Brugge.
Rooney thought he had ended his goal drought when he found the net in the fourth minute, only to have the effort ruled out for being marginally offside.
And not long after the lively Rooney had another chance, a 30-yard drive which was easily saved low down by keeper Tim Krul who also kept out a long-range free kick from Juan Mata.
Krul pulled off a great save low to his left to deny Mata as United had four goal attempts on target in the opening quarter of an hour. What a contrast to the opening game of the season against Tottenham when they managed only one.
Yet out of the blue Newcastle almost snatched the lead midway through the half with their first chance of the match.
Chancel Mbemba crossed from the right and new £13m Serb striker Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the crossbar with a looping header from 16 yards.
And Newcastle went close again shortly before half time when Reds’ keeper Sergio Romero turned a shot from Ayoze Perez round the post for a corner as United lost their spark after an electrifying start to the match.
Van Gaal made his first change just short of the hour when Carrick replaced the tiring Schweinsteiger and then midway through the period striker Javier Hernandez came on for Adnan Januzaj.
United continued to toil and struggled to create chances, a far cry to the opening to the game when were rampant going forward.
Mata had claims for a penalty turned down after he want sprawling in the box and then the Spaniard blaze over after being set up by Rooney.
Luke Shaw then played a delightful return pass with Morgan Schneiderlin before forcing a diving save from Krul, though United still couldn’t find a way past the Dutch keeper.
Hernandez found himself clean through on goal after Mata’s shot was blocked, but Krul made a vital save with his outstretched leg.
In the latter stages, United laid siege to the Newcastle goal but the visitors defended resolutely, often with 11 men behind the ball.
Antonio Valencia, United’s third substitute, had a goalbound shot blocked by Fabricio Coloccini, Chris Smalling’s header hit the upright and Carrick had a drive deflected wide for a corner.
Yet, at the death Newcastle almost snatched a second victory in three attempts at Old Trafford on the counter attack.
Papiss Cisse broke and delivered a low cross from the right and Florin Thauvin, sliding in, just failed to connect.