Wayne Rooney featured despite the Blues' public interest
in his services yet neither team could make a decisive breakthrough in a match
of few chances on Monday night.
Manchester United and Chelsea played out a 0-0 draw at
Old Trafford on Monday in a game that failed to live up to its pre-match
billing.
The fixture marked the first time that David Moyes locked
horns with Jose Mourinho as United manager but neither manager could gain the
psychological upper hand, although the point puts the Blues clear at the top of
the Premier League.
"Chelsea return to London with a point on a night
that was an inauspacious Old Trafford debut in the home dugout for David Moyes.
"The build-up to the match had been dominated by
talk about Wayne Rooney's future and the striker, starting his first match of
the season, was the best player on view. Amusingly, and perhaps uniquely,
Rooney's name was chanted by both sets of supporters throughout the match.
"Chelsea lacked adventure in their team selection,
playing without a recognised striker for the opening hour, and were equally
cautious on the pitch.
It is clear where Jose Mourinho feels that he needs to
strengthen." Oscar tried to prise open a tight United defence in a
lacklustre first half but twice wasted good opportunities with weak efforts
straight at David de Gea.
Robin van Persie had United's best effort when he hit the
side netting from inside the area.
The second half followed a similar pattern and England
international Danny Welbeck will rue his wastefulness after digging an effort
wide after good work from Wayne Rooney. United also had claims for a penalty
when a Tom Cleverley shot struck Frank Lampard's hand in the box.
Moyes named Rooney in his starting XI for the first time,
with the striker the subject of two rejected bids during the close-season from
Monday night's opposition. Ryan Giggs dropped to the bench to allow for his
inclusion.
Chelsea started the game with a surprise as Andre
Schurrle led the line. Kevin De Bruyne was also given the nod as Juan Mata and
Demba Ba were omitted from the side that started against Aston Villa on
Wednesday.
Both sides struggled to create openings in a tepid
opening 45 minutes. It was the away side who had the first chance in the 10th
minute when a low De Bruyne cross rebounded to Oscar who hit a tame effort
straight at De Gea.
Chelsea had managed to quash the threat Van Persie for
the opening 20 minutes but the Dutchman had United's first meaningful effort.
Michael Carrick dispossessed Ramires in midfield and the former Arsenal man
picked up the loose ball on the edge of the box but he went too wide before
firing his effort against the side netting.
Rooney then had his first effort on goal. He showed a
neat piece of skill to feint inside Gary Cahill but his shot from 20 yards was
weak and rolled harmlessly to Petr Cech.
United were beginning to enjoy more of the ball and, in
the 38th minute, Phil Jones's low cross was only half-cleared by John Terry and
Cleverley hit a first-time shot from 20 yards that cleared the crossbar.
The half ended with a weak shot from Oscar after a series
of neat passes in the Chelsea midfield - the Brazilian will feel that he could
have done more to trouble De Gea.
After a slow start to the second half, United should have
taken the lead after 56 minutes. Rooney showed good control just outside the
area before slipping a neat through-ball to Welbeck but the striker fluffed his
lines as he chipped his effort over from 10 yards.
Cahill was unlucky with a 30-yard drive that De Gea got
down well to save, before United had claims for a penalty.
Cleverley's half-volley hit Lampard's hand in the area
but referee Martin Atkinson deemed that the midfielder had not deliberately
made contact with the shot.
Rooney almost had the last say late on when he tested
Cech with a strong 25-yard effort. The shot may have been going wide but the
Chelsea man took no chances.
With two minutes remaining, United had another penalty
shout when John Obi Mikel turned into Van Persie's volley but the decision
would have been harsh on the Nigerian who knew had no time to dodge the shot.
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