By Toby Prince
It was a frustrating afternoon in Old Trafford as Manchester United were forced to a goalless draw by visiting Newcastle United in the early Premier League kickoff on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney had a goal disallowed early on, and the team in red hit the post as they could not find a cutting edge at home to Newcastle United. The Man of the Match award went to Newcastle centre back Fabricio Collocini, which tells the story of the game.
As expected Bastian Schweinsteiger started for the first time for the Red Devils in place of Michael Carrick, the only change from the team that played Aston Villa last week.
Manchester United’s need for attacking reinforcements was laid bare at Old Trafford as they stuttered to a draw against the Magpies.
United dominated the opening 20 minutes, but failed to score on a frustrating afternoon for Louis van Gaal’s team.
After a week in which they failed to land former target Pedro, United lacked a cutting edge up front.
Wayne Rooney’s goal drought now stretches to 10 games. The 29-year-old thought he had put United ahead early on but his effort was ruled out for a marginal offside call.
The England captain had a shot blocked inside the area after the break, but otherwise failed to show he is the answer to United’s scoring troubles.
It was not just Rooney who struggled in front of goal, however. Juan Mata and Memphis Depay also missed chances while Tim Krul performed some late heroics to deny substitute Javier Hernandez.
The result ended United’s perfect start to the season and provided yet more evidence that Van Gaal needs to add more attacking players to his squad before the transfer window shuts in 10 days’ time.
The positive for Van Gaal is that it is the third clean sheet they have kept in their opening three Premier League games.
