Tough for limp United to qualify

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring one of his two goals for Real Madrid in a 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on Wednesday night. Photo: Gleb Garanich, Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring one of his two goals for Real Madrid in a 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on Wednesday night. Photo: Gleb Garanich, Reuters

Published Nov 26, 2015

Share

Manchester United face a huge task to qualify for the Uefa Champions League last 16 after a disappointing 0-0 draw against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Louis van Gaal’s side dominated proceedings against the Dutch club, but lacked that attacking spark to break down a resolute PSV defence, which saw the visitors secure a crucial point away from home.

Now the Red Devils have it all to do to make it the next round as they remain in second spot on eight points in Group B, a point behind Germany’s Wolfsburg, who beat CSKA Moscow 2-0 in Russia earlier on Wednesday.

United will have to travel to Germany on December 8 for their final group match having to win to be sure of qualification to the last 16, as PSV also stayed in the hunt to go through. The Dutch have a relatively easier final group fixture against CSKA, who are out of the running on four points.

At Old Trafford on Wednesday, United never quite got going despite enjoying around 58 percent of possession on the night. Attacking threats such as Memphis Dupuy and Anthony Martial out wide seldom provided the required service to the likes of captain Wayne Rooney and Jesse Lingard upfront.

German master Bastian Schweinsteiger also wasn’t able to create anything meaningful to prise open the PSV defence, and perhaps Van Gaal waited too long – the 84th minute – to bring on Spaniard Juan Mata off the bench to try and get the breakthrough.

Memphis in particular had a number of excellent chances on goal in and around the 18-yard box, but his first touch often eluded him.

Van Gaal did attempt to change tactics in the 58th minute by bringing on the more physical Marouane Fellaini and the pacy Ashley Young to produce crosses, with Memphis and Schweinsteiger leaving the scene.

But it didn’t make much difference as apart from a few sharp runs by Young, Fellaini was positioned arguably too deep on attack instead of being right upfront inside the PSV box.

United’s neighbours Manchester City would also have been unhappy with their result on the night as they lost a top-of-the-table Group D clash 1-0 against Juventus in Turin, although the English side are through to the last 16 along with the Italians.

Mario Mandzukic got the winner in the 20th minute, and Juve on 11 points and City on nine cannot be surpassed by Borussia Moenchengladbach, who beat Sevilla 4-2 on Wednesday in Germany.

Other teams who secured their passage to the last 16 on Wednesday night include Real Madrid, who survived a late charge from Shakhtar Donetsk to win 4-3 in Ukraine, with Cristiano Ronaldo getting a brace, while Paris Saint-Germain also qualified from Group A after thrashing Malmo 5-0 in Sweden.

Atletico Madrid and Benfica went through from Group C on Wednesday night.

Wednesday’s Champions League results

Astana 2 Benfica 2, CSKA Moscow 0 Wolfsburg 2, Manchester United 0 PSV Eindhoven 0, Juventus 1 Manchester City 0, Atletico Madrid 2 Galatasaray 0, Shakhtar Donetsk 3 Real Madrid 4, Malmo 0 Paris Saint Germain 5, Borussia Moenchengladbach 4 Sevilla 2.

[email protected]

@IndyCapeSport

Related Topics: