Champions League - United through despite draw

Eurosport - Wed, 26 Nov 09:31:00 2008

Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Villarreal in their Champions League Group E tie at El Madrigal.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Champions League Villarreal-Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo - 0

But the result - the fourth straight goalless stalemate between the two sides - saw United, along with their Spanish opponents, progress to the last 16 of the competition.

As is often the case, United winger Cristiano Ronaldo provided the most memorable moment of the game, the Portuguese winger's rasping drive at the end of the first half forcing Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez into brilliantly tipping onto the cross bar.

And then with eight minutes remaining Ronaldo again took centre stage, Joan Capdevila felling him with a nasty challenge which earned the Spain international a straight red card.

With one eye on the weekend's Manchester derby, United boss Alex Ferguson opted to rest several key players - Nemanja Vidic and Carlos Tevez started on the bench while Edwin van der Sar did not even make the trip to Spain - but the defending European champions started brightly.

Wayne Rooney, playing a lone striker's role but supported by Ronaldo and Nani, had the ball in the back of the net after just eight minutes, but his side-footed finish was ruled out for offside against Patrice Evra, who had bombed forward to deliver a cross from the by-line.

Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla brought a smart save out of Van der Sar's stand-in Tomasz Kuszczak before United came forward again, Darren Fletcher bringing Diego Lopez into action with a well-struck first time effort from the edge of the box on 35 minutes.

Lopez proved to be United's nemesis for the rest of the evening, his excellent positional play denying United on several occasions throughout the course of the game.

But his most crucial intervention came just before the half-time break, the former Real Madrid extending an arm to divert Ronaldo's fierce drive onto the woodwork and behind for a corner.

It was to be United's best chance of the game as Rooney - excellent after the break - and Ronaldo were left frustrated for much of the evening.

Only Rooney really tested Diego Lopez again, the England striker's first time shot on the turn from Michael Carrick's through pass giving the hosts a fright on 66 minutes.

In the end, it was a deflected Rooney cross that nearly proved the decisive moment of the match, his ball into the box looping up over the keeper, only to be headed off the line by Capdevila.

Capdevila did not last too much longer after his lunge at Ronaldo on 82 minutes resulted in dismissal and, despite the entrance of Tevez as time ran out, United could not find a way to break down Villarreal's back line.

But despite United's failure to score, the Group E leaders will now head into their final match - at home to AaB Aalborg - as favourites to progress as group winners.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

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  1. the great Ac Milan team was build with draws and 1-0 victories, you can't ecxpect 2 win every game by a 3-4 goal margin. you r not playing decent teams in this competition, ur playing very good teams.. the important thing in Champions League is to be strong defensively.Coz
    Offence wins the Game but
    Deffence wins the Championship.

    United r on the right track. That was a great result.

    From DELPHINE R, on Wed 26 Nov 6:41PM

  2. Am I alone in thinking that there is something unholy
    about Manchester united football club?

    From Nicholas, on Wed 26 Nov 6:22PM

  3. 108 titansky. i have no problem with people living in manchester like yourself and supporting utd. you go to utd games and stockport games so thats fair play. most the people in here who support utd probably dont even live near manchester or even england !! im pretty sure they dont know any players apart from ronaldo, rooney and tevez! thats what i just find stupid and pointless of supporting a team cos of its history.

    From alex.austin, on Wed 26 Nov 5:15PM

  4. in another statement united play ok last night villareal defended well at times and the keeper was the reason they didnt end up 3 - 0 down, but atleast we are through lets just hope we can find our goal scoring form for sunday

    From titanskyky77, on Wed 26 Nov 5:03PM

  5. alex.austin i live in manchester about 25 mins away form old trafford ive been to like 4 games this season yes i know its not much my neighboor goes to every game and went away like 7 times with utd including barca and lyon. ive even gone to another local club stockport county and went on the road with them i support both local teams to me but my blood runs thick with united and always will

    From titanskyky77, on Wed 26 Nov 5:00PM

  6. 88 - rotimi a.
    what the fuuk are you on about? your chattin some @#$%... go and play with your playdow!

    From alex.austin, on Wed 26 Nov 2:28PM

  7. still no team to match what utd have achieved since their team first started...and there never will be.

    From L H, on Wed 26 Nov 12:04PM

  8. UNITED WE STAND ... WE HAVE THE BIGGEST FAN CLUB IN THE WORLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD/UNIVERSE HAHAHA...JEALOUSY IS WHAT IS GETTING TO THOSE SORE @#$% LOOSERSSSSS...SORRY THAT UNITED IS OURS AND YOUR TEAMS DON'T HAVE WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED ... RESPECT TO WHAT LIVER-SHIIIIT HAS IN SILVERWARE BUT STILL THEY HAVEN'T CLAIMED A PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY ... SO THAT SIMPLY MAKES US THE CHAMPIONSSSSSSSSSSSS ... I DON'T EVEN WANT TO SAY MORE ... OUR RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF ...
    KEEP THE RED FLAGS FLYING HIGHHHHHHHHH :-) YEEEEEEEEEEEEHA

    From Imad A, on Wed 26 Nov 10:55AM

  9. All the players are scared of the great RONALDO.When he touches the ball,it is as if the opponents side's hearts are to be popped out.RONALDO is going to be the greatest player of all time.Hurray MANCHESTER UNITED,you are the CHAMPIONS and will always remain the CHAMPION.I am sure you are going to win the PREMIER LEAGUE and CHAMPIONS LEAGUE this season.There is a long way to go but the KING who will be ruling in the world will always be MANCHESTER UNITED. Long live and glory to MANCHESTER UNITED.

    From Hemant Kumar, on Wed 26 Nov 9:47AM

  10. All the players are scared of the great RONALDO.When he touches the ball,it is as if the opponents side's hearts are to be popped out.RONALDO is going to be the greatest player of all time.Hurray MANCHESTER UNITED,you are the CHAMPIONS and will always remain the CHAMPION.I am sure you are going to win the PREMIER LEAGUE and CHAMPIONS LEAGUE this season.There is a long way to go but the KING who will be ruling in the world will always be MANCHESTER UNITED. Long live and glory to MANCHESTER UNITED.

    From Hemant Kumar, on Wed 26 Nov 9:37AM

  11. "There seem to be a lot of ANTI Man Utd fans out there who seem to have nothing better to do than have a go at a team they are obviously jealous of. So what if Ronaldo appears to dive when he goes down, how many other players do it and get away with it, its all part of the game these days. Good luck UNITED , and Sir Alex , you are all a legacy of the BUSBY BABES and Sir Matt would be really proud of you all."

    From mogan.market, on Wed 26 Nov 9:25AM

  12. united is the best!!!Man utd haters always find united's bad and weaknesses.......but they dont want to admit their club's weaknesses and how bad their footballers......example given = arsenal......

    From Arif, on Wed 26 Nov 9:23AM

  13. Ronaldo is the best player in the world. Deal with it. Messi close behind.

    From Jamie, on Wed 26 Nov 9:12AM

  14. Ronaldo's a little girl, actually no hes not, little girls are stronger.

    From doubt.it.man, on Wed 26 Nov 8:56AM

  15. Man U deserved to win that one.

    From Herne, on Wed 26 Nov 8:52AM

  16. I watched last nights game and the same thing kept popping into my head! Ronaldo is gonna leave, he is not focused enough, he may want to play buts that because he doesnt wanna rot in the reserves! just a matter of time before he leaves! sorry man u fans, well done for qualifying!!

    From Ben, on Wed 26 Nov 8:34AM

  17. united is the bomb!i luv united 4 life.
    From robert, nigeria. Up united!

    From Roberto, on Wed 26 Nov 8:20AM

  18. The Great George Best used to get kicked much harder and much more often than Ronaldo does in games and just used to get up and get on with it.Now he was a player!!

    Well done Man U for qualifying.

    From jhr881, on Wed 26 Nov 8:14AM

  19. good for man united. ilove them

    From Novas, on Wed 26 Nov 8:05AM

  20. To all you Non Man Utd fans ... I believe jealousy is what is getting at you ... tell me record wise what did your teams accomplish to what we have and under whose authority? SAF ... You talk we are Irish you Chelski Scum bag ... you bought your way through a couple of silverware with that Russian Mafia of yours ... Please and i am begging you to please lay of the case of the KINGS OF ENGLAND ... KINGS OF EUROPE ....
    It's simple we are the best, the Champions whether you like it or not ... End of season coming and we shall see who lifts the trophy .. .remember we still have a very long way to go ... and to that Arse-wipe FAN ... get a life you @#$% ...
    Keep the Red Flags Flying HIGHHHHHHHHHHHH

    From Imad A, on Wed 26 Nov 7:48AM
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