Match Report: Manchester United 0-0 Villerreal
Champions League holders Manchester United limped to a disappointing scoreless draw against Spanish side Villarreal at Old Trafford, with the European Champions dominating most of the play throughout the game.
The Red Devils, who welcomed back last season's hero and the summers villain, Cristiano Ronaldo, as a substitute, tried in vain to hit the back of the net but it wasn't to be against a disciplined and experienced side in Villarreal. The Spanish minnows had finished runners up last season to Real Madrid after a highly successful domestic campaign.
United were the only team who wanted three points from the fixture, and were denied two clear penalties from fouls on Ji-Sung Park in the first half. Both times the officials looked puzzlingly at one another and failed to give the correct decision. United were on top for the majority of the first half, with Villarreal rarely venturing into the home side's half. Fletcher was spraying the ball around in midfield whilst both Neville and Evra got forward a lot more than the two full backs in Saturday's game, which included Evra on the left. Rio Ferdinand missed a golden opportunity when, unmarked, he mis-hit a shot from inside the six yard box from a corner. It came quickly to Ferdinand, however he should have done better with it. Carlos Tevez threatened before half time with a glorious effort which was strongly punched away by the Diego Lopez.
Villarreal came out to play more so in the second half and played some neat and tidy football that showed why they were so successful last season. Pires moved from a wide position into the centre, where his aging legs tried to influence the match. The best piece of football from Villarreal came on the 59th minute when Angel Lopez found himself in some space after some good passing and swung in a low cross for Franco to backheel agains the post and into Van Der Sar's arms - who was a lot less busy than on Saturday.
Ronaldo entered the frame, along with Anderson, on the 62nd minute to a warm Old Trafford reception. His first contribution to the game was a double step over that took him away from his man and it looked like he had never been away. Although clearly lacking match fitness and sharpness, his introduction provided a boost for the crowd and for the team, who looked a lot more dangerous breaking from deep with the pace and creativity of Ronaldo. Ronaldo and Rooney combined in the latter stages of the half to create an opening for Carlos Tevez whose shot beat Diego Lopez but was cleared off the line by Godin. Ronaldo also put in a superb cross for Johnny Evans to head against the post, when the young Irishman should have scored.
Manchester United will be disappointed with the result although the performance was a lot better than that on Saturday against Liverpool. The passing was more accurate and the closing down and pressing was there, the only thing that was lacking was a goal - and possibly the creative instinct of a Carrick or Scholes. United travel to Chelsea on Sunday knowing that they must get something out of the game; otherwise the Champions will be nine points behind the 2008 Champions League runners up by tea time.