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November 27, 2015

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United’s hopes in balance after home PSV draw

MANCHESTER United endured a frustrating night when it was held to a goalless draw by PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday, squandering the opportunity to seal its place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

United would have qualified with a win, but its hopes are now in the balance with the top three teams in Group B separated by only two points with one match to play.

United, which has 8 points, has to visit leader VfL Wolfsburg, which has 9, on December 8 when only a win might be good enough.

PSV, which is third on 7 points, will qualify if it beats bottom-placed CSKA Moscow at home in its final game.

United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal admitted his team could have wrapped it up against the champion of the Netherlands in the first half when it dominated, but also felt his team ran out of ideas after the break.

“I think we could have finished it in the first half because in the second half we were not as good any more,” he told BT Sport.

“We were afraid to play the ball but nevertheless we didn’t give too many chances away.

“It is a very difficult task (now) because I think Wolfsburg is the best team in our group but it is possible.”

It was United’s fourth goalless draw in its last seven matches and its lack of firepower could well cost it dear this season.

The best chance of all fell to Jesse Lingard who could have wrapped up the win for United but blasted over the bar after 73 minutes.

Although both teams had their moments, overall it was a frustrating night at Old Trafford where fans paid tribute to United great George Best who died exactly 10 years ago to the day aged 59.

They held up white torchlights in the 7th minute of the match in remembrance of the No. 7 shirt he wore during his 11 years at the club in the 1960s and 1970s.

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Benfica joined last year’s runner-up Juventus in clinching qualification for the last 16.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic captained PSG as he returned to face Malmo, his hometown team and the club where his glittering career began, and he was among the scorers in a 5-0 romp that took the French champion through from Group A.

“I lived a dream tonight, coming back. On top of that I scored one. I’m very happy,” said Ibrahimovic.

However, Real Madrid, which had already qualified, secured top spot in the group with an entertaining 4-3 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.

Atletico and Benfica will meet in Lisbon in two weeks to decide who finishes top of Group C after both qualified for the next phase on Wednesday.

Atletico eased to a 2-0 win over Galatasaray at home with Antoine Griezmann scoring both from Gabi assists, while Benfica drew 2-2 at Astana.




 

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