OPTA REVIEW: Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle

Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney and Co. failed to find a way past Tim Krul as Steve McClaren's side held on to earn a creditable point at Old Trafford

Despite a bright start Manchester United failed to break down a determined Newcastle United side at Old Trafford, with Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul in particularly robust form.

The home side looked sharp and positive for the first 15 minutes but their play became stodgier as the Magpies regrouped, and it was not until the final period that they really threatened Krul's goal.



The best chance fell to Javier Hernandez, but his low effort was well saved by the Dutchman. It was one of eight shots on target for his side, while nine were blocked.

Wayne Rooney and Aleksandar Mitrovic have both endured difficult starts to their respective seasons but while it was another poor afternoon for the England striker, Newcastle's summer signing showed much more promising signs and even hit the crossbar with a fine header in the first half.



Rooney's touch let him down on a number of occasions and no longer can rely on a burst of pace or show of strength to keep hold of the ball in difficult spots. Mitrovic, meanwhile, was given the difficult task of leading the line by himself but showed he is capable of making life more than difficult for his markers.

The average positions highlight Newcastle's gameplan of sitting back to absorbing pressure, allowing United to pass the ball around in front of their two banks of four. The Red Devils played the game on the front foot but could not, of course, find the breakthrough.



United probed across the pitch looking for openings but the forays of Luke Shaw and Memphis Depay are highlighted down the left-hand side, while Newcastle looked to attack down the right-hand side when they came forward.