Manchester United 0 v 0 Villareal
El Madrigal, Villareal
14th September 2005
Manchester United's European campaign began its usual stuttering starttonight, with a well-earned 0 - 0, and one point, against Villareal.
Former United favourite Diego Forlan was up against his self-professed favourite club in England, but struggled to put the finishing touch to his two chances, although Villareal will be more than happy for a point from the game.
With Gary and Keane out, O Shea and Smith took their places in the starting line-ups, with Ronaldo also back into the Starting XI for the first time in two weeks.
The game started off scrappily, with mistakes form both sides on a fast pitch. united never really managed to clikc into second gear, and appeared stuck in the poor run of form that led them to scrape a point last Saturday at City - the creative chances just wern't there.
Ronaldo went close with a long-range speculative effort, before Villareal had their first real opening in the game - A low shot to van Der Sar's left saw the Dutchman come out with all the plaudits when many thought the ball was destined for the back of the net.
Heinze went off injured after what looked like an innoculous challenge, and looks to be out for a few weeks with a knee injury.
United came closest to scoring when a Ronaldo free-kick was dropped by Viera, in nets for Villareal. Van Nistelooy struggled to get at the ball, and a miracle overhead-kick goalline clearance meant United were kept out.
Van Nistelrooy had another chance in the second, when a Corner was fired in ad met in the box by Silvestre. All Ruud had to do was touch it to get it into the net through a crowd of bodies from two yards, but he swung and missed, and it was opprtunity over.
Rooney's comical sending off then took the wind out of United's sails - Rooney was booked for a por but not malicious foul, which he clearly felt aggrieved by. He went up to the ref to clap his decision sarcastically, and was met by a scond yellow, and the Red. Ooops.
Luckily for Rooney, Villareal threatened only once in the last 20 minutes, with Sorin hitting tamely at van der Sar when he should have scored.
A point earned, and 9 points to go!
Villarreal: Viera, Kromkamp, Rodriguez, Quique Alvarez, Arruabarrena, Hector Font (Roger 70), Josico (Tacchinardi 45), Senna, Sorin, Forlan, Guayre (Figueroa 66).
Subs Not Used: Barbosa, Santi Cazorla, Pena, Valencia.
Booked: Rodriguez, Kromkamp.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze (Richardson 33), Fletcher, Scholes, Smith, Ronaldo (Giggs 80), van Nistelrooy (Park 80), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Miller, Bardsley, Pique.
Sent Off: Rooney (63).
Booked: Richardson, Smith, Rooney.
Att: 22,000
Ref: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark).
