Manchester United have ended their four-match losing streak but are now winless in eight games in all competitions having been held to a goalless draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford this evening.
Louis van Gaal was in the dugout for the hosts despite intense speculation over his future in recent days, but his side were unable to find a breakthrough against Guus Hiddink's visitors despite hitting the woodwork twice in the first half.
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The hosts almost got off to a perfect start after just three minutes when Wayne Rooney found Juan Mata, whose powerful strike from the right side of the area clattered off the crossbar with Thibaut Courtois beaten.
Chelsea had their first chance two minutes later in a bright start to the match, but David de Gea came to United's rescue by turning John Terry's powerful header over the bar.
Morgan Schneiderlin then flashed an effort wide of the target from range as United continued to play in a positive manner that has been lacking in recent weeks, and it wasn't long before they once again came within inches of breaking the deadlock.
This time it was Anthony Martial who caused the problems, cutting inside past Branislav Ivanovic before driving a low strike towards the bottom corner that bounced off the inside of the post and away to safety.
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Rooney was the next to threaten for the dominant hosts, collecting a short free kick before driving a powerful long-range effort towards the top corner that Courtois had to turn behind.
De Gea had been little more than a spectator since the fifth minute, but he was called into action again early in the second half, pulling off a fine double save to deny first Pedro and then Cesar Azpilicueta from the rebound.
It was Courtois's turn to shine again shortly afterwards as he kept things goalless with a remarkable save to deny Ander Herrera from point-blank range after the Spaniard had been found by Martial's low ball into the six-yard box.
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United continued to look the more dangerous side, but Chelsea were next to threaten on the break when Pedro found Nemanja Matic striding forward in acres of space, only for the midfielder to blaze his finish high and wide of the target with only De Gea to beat.
Old Trafford grew increasingly tense as both teams edged towards more dropped points, but Rooney had a chance to lift the atmosphere when he was picked out by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson at the back post, only to fire his volley over the crossbar.
That proved to be the final opening of the match as Van Gaal was left with an eighth consecutive winless game - United's worst run for 25 years - while Chelsea are still looking for their first victory in Hiddink's second reign.
Barney Corkhill
