Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by a dogged Newcastle United at Old Trafford in what was perhaps the most entertaining goalless game in recent memory.
While the Red Devils dominated the possession stats, both sides had chances late to win the game with Chris Smalling and Florian Thauvin coming closest to breaking the deadlock.
Although it is United’s third clean sheet in three games, questions about their goalscoring prowess will again be raised after they failed to convert one of their many chances.
Manchester United
Sergio Romero – 6: Had precious little to do throughout the game, but was solid in the rare moments when called upon.
Matteo Darmian – 7: Very solid in defence for the Red Devils, and looked threatening at times going forward. Replaced in the 77th minute.
Chris Smalling – 6: Looked overpowered at times, losing his man on occasion. Almost stole all three points late on.
Daley Blind – 6: Filled in at centre-back admirably, but lack of size and strength may prove crucial against bigger strikers.
Luke Shaw – 6: Solid game from Shaw, looked threatening when going forward and defended admirably.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 6: Gave the ball away cheaply a little too often, but protected the back four well.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 5: Looked short of match fitness, at times struggling with the pace of the game. Substituted in the 59th minute.
Juan Mata – 6: Looked dangerous at times, but his final ball let him down too often.
Adnan Januzaj – 7: United’s most dangerous player in the first half. Was very creative, subbed off in the 67th minute.
Memphis Depay – 7: Showed glimpses of his sublime skill but often looked greedy, attempting too much.
Wayne Rooney – 7: Looked very dangerous when involved in the play, just faded in and out of the game too often.
Substitutes
Michael Carrick – 6: Did his chances of regaining a first XI birth no harm, controlling the tempo of the game when he came on in the 59th minute.
Javier Hernandez – 4: Brought on in the 67th minute to provide a spark, but struggled to get into the game.
Antonio Valencia – 5: Had limited time to make an impact, coming on in the 77th minute but looked lively going forward.
Newcastle United
Tim Krul – 8: Was exceptional in goal, making several critical saves helping his side escape with a draw.
Chancel Mbemba – 6: Struggled early with the skill of Memphis, but settled into the game and was solid.
Steven Taylor – 6: Did not do too much wrong, surviving a late onslaught from the Red Devils as they pushed for the three points.
Fabricio Coloccini – 7: Very good in defence for the Magpies, repelling numerous United attacks bravely.
Massadio Haidara– 5: Worked hard in both attack and defence all game. Looked better as the game wore on.
Jack Colback – 5: Defensive pressure throughout the game was very good, but struggled to maintain possession at times.
Vurnon Anita – 5: Contributed well defensively, but offered precious little else throughout the game.
Ayoze Perez – 7: Was extremely lively early on and looked like Newcastle’s most likely avenue to goal. Subbed in the 77th minute.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 6: Not at his scintillating best, but showed enough to prove he will be a success in the Premier League.
Gabriel Obertan – 3: Struggled to find his way in the game and was replaced in the 70th minute.
Aleksandar Mitrovic – 6: Proved a difficult challenge for the Red Devils defenders, almost scoring from a wonderful header early in the game. Replaced in the 88th minute.
Substitutes
Florian Thauvin – 6: Showed glimpses of his much hyped creativity in his Newcastle debut, almost snatching all three points late on.
Cheick Tiote – N/A: Came on in the 77th minute to help sure up Newcastle defensively. Touched the ball very minimally.
Papiss Cisse – N/A: Led a fast break that could have won the game at the death for Newcastle after coming on in the 88th minute.
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