Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea – Premier League – 28th December 2015
Manchester United played out yet another goalless draw on Monday under Louis van Gaal, although the Red Devil’s improved display against Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea hinted at a better 2016 for the Red Devils.
Wayne Rooney was back in the starting line-up for the Red Devils and the England captain produced a much-improved display. Indeed, the hosts created a lot of chances, with Anthony Martial and Juan Mata both hitting the woodwork. However, United couldn’t find that all-important goal.
The Blues, with Eden Hazard in a central attacking berth, did create a number of chances of their own, with both Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta thwarted by David De Gea in the second-half. Nemanja Matic then fired over as the west Londoners searched for an opening goal. Rooney then spurned a great chance of his own after a superb centre from sub Cameron Borthwick-Jackson. While the strike was then lucky not to see red late on after a horror challenge on Matic.
Another goalless performance is not what the under-fire van Gaal will have wanted. However, the Dutchman will no doubt be hoping this much-improved performance can kickstart the Red Devils’ season, As for van Gaal’s fellow-countryman Hiddink, he is sure to be satisfied with a hard-earned point, although much work still needs to be done if the west Londoners are to get themselves back into the top-half of the table (and possibly the top six).
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