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- Lille Metropole 1- 0 Manchester United

Champions League Group D

United 0
Villarreal 0
Old Trafford, 22/11/05
Old Trafford Goal Curse Hampers United

Villarreal once again proved a thorn in United’s side, holding held them to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. The result leaves the Reds' Champions League hopes hinging on the outcome of the trip to Benfica next month.

United travel to Portugal on 7 December and only a win will guarantee their passage through to the knockout stages, although they will progress if they draw and Villarreal beat Lille.

Sir Alex’s side controlled the first half of the game but were enable to get the goal they deserved. Villarreal's second-half spoiling tactics and United’s inability to score goals at Old Trafford ensured another stalemate.

In the first home match since Roy Keane's departure last Friday, the home supporters sang his name throughout. But chants of 'United, United, United' were never far away. No one player is bigger than the club, but Keane's departure has accelerated the need to find his successor.

If the Irishman has been the team's talisman since taking the captaincy in 1997, a new one is beginning to emerge in the form of Wayne Rooney.

Rooney was United's creative force, seeking space anywhere and everywhere from which to reek havoc. He possesses the potential for the same talismanic influence on games as Keane, Cantona and Robson before him. It is his burgeoning ability to dictate games, direct attacking moves and lift the crowd.

United: Van der Sar, Brown (Neville, 77), Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fletcher (Park, 59), Smith (Saha, 82), Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (c).
Subs not used: Howard, Richardson, Pique, Rossi.

Villarreal: Barbosa, Javi Venta, Gonzalo, Pena, Arruabarrena (c), Roger (Hecta Font, 65), Tacchinardi (Josico, 79), Senna, Sorin, Lucho (Xisco, 86), Jose Mari.
Subs not used: Viera, Cesar Arzo, Kromkamp, Cazorla.

Att: 67, 471