Jesse Lingard spurned the home side's best chance of the night and, with PSV expected to beat CSKA Moscow in a fortnight, the Red Devils will need to win away to Wolfsburg
Manchester United's hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages were severely dented by a goalless draw with PSV at Old Trafford.The Red Devils headed into their penultimate Group B fixture knowing three points would secure a last-16 spot, yet now likely need a win away to leaders Wolfsburg on December 8 to progress following Wednesday's disappointing stalemate.
Louis van Gaal, perhaps keen to avoid heading to Germany requiring a victory, named an attacking United line-up featuring former PSV star Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial in a four-man attack.
The quartet's fluidity caused plenty of problems for PSV early on, although the home side failed to break the deadlock in the first half as Martial missed two good opportunities.
United's frustration only mounted in the early part of the second period as they struggled against the Eredivisie outfit's resolute backline.
And the visitors' resilience paid dividends, with a point meaning PSV will progress if they overcome CSKA Moscow at home and Van Gaal's men fail to beat Wolfsburg.
The game featured a poignant moment in the seventh minute as supporters displayed mobile-phone lights in a tribute to United legend George Best, who died 10 years ago to the day.
PSV's cause was not helped by being forced into an 18th-minute change, Gaston Pereiro replacing the injured Luciano Narsingh.
The hosts began to grow into the game thereafter, epitomised by Matteo Darmian delivery a fizzing cross that narrowly evaded Rooney.
United almost forced a deserved opener in the 31st minute when Jeroen Zoet denied Morgan Schneiderlin's sliding effort after the midfielder met Daley Blind's corner.
That seemed to awaken the visitors, who fashioned an opening of their own as Jorrit Hendrix forced a save from David de Gea.
A glorious chance came United's way soon after as Lingard's blocked shot found its way to Martial, whose low effort was kept out by Zoet.
The PSV goalkeeper denied Martial again on the stroke of half-time, saving a stinging strike low at his near post.
United flew out of the blocks after the break, with Lingard heading inches wide before Depay forced another stop from Zoet.
That wave of pressure seemingly did not sufficiently impress Van Gaal, who introduced Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young in the 59th minute.
Another sitter went begging in the 74th minute when Young's deflected effort rolled into the path of Lingard, who curled over with the goal gaping.
That proved the final opportunity, though, as United ran out of ideas to ensure an uphill task awaits in Germany.
Manchester United's involvement in this season's Champions League remains in the balance after they were held to a goalless draw at home to PSV.
It was a frustrating night for United, who pressed and dominated possession but struggled to hurt their opponents.
Jesse Lingard fired their best chance over the bar, while Morgan Schneiderlin saw a close-range shot saved.
United will qualify for the last 16 if they beat group leaders Wolfsburg in their final game on 8 December.
United face crunch final game
The top three sides in the group - Wolfsburg, United and PSV - are now separated by only two points.
United knew before Wednesday that a win would be enough to send them through, but the draw leaves them in a very precarious position.
They remain in charge of their own fate, with PSV are a point behind them in third, but the Dutch side's final game is at the Philips Stadion against CSKA Moscow, who are already eliminated following a 2-0 home loss to Wolfsburg.
The Dutch side also have the advantage of a superior head-to-head record against United, who were beaten 2-1 in the Netherlands in September.
Pressing, possession but no penetration
High pressing is in vogue in England, thanks largely to Jurgen Klopp's impact at Liverpool, and United employed the tactic during an opening quarter that was full of energy and intent but lacking in end product.
A hassled and harried PSV were starved of the ball and pinned back in their own half but rarely in real danger as United failed to find the killer ball, turn of pace or piece of skill to open up a side more than happy to leave Manchester with a well-earned point.
In the few times they earned a sight of goal, Lingard's touch let him down in the box, Schneiderlin fluffed a chance from close range from a corner and Anthony Martial fired a shot straight at the keeper from inside the box.
As their energy waned, United were even less effective after the break, resulting in aimless balls forward and the inevitable, ineffective introduction of Marouane Fellaini.
Lingard's glanced header and shot over the bar after Ashley Young's cross had deflected into his path was the closest they came to a winner.
An increasingly comfortable and confident PSV could even have won the game themselves had Santiago Arias found a cross to match the movement and driving run that took him clear down the right.
Martial fails to prove his point
Martial's role in United's attack has been the source of much debate in recent weeks, with many suggesting his pace would be better employed in an outright striking role as opposed to the left of boss Van Gaal's favoured frontman, Wayne Rooney.
Having missed Saturday's league win at Watford, Rooney and Martial returned to the starting XI, but with Rooney in a number 10 role behind the centrally-deployed French teenager as part of a four-man attack that also included Memphis Depay and Lingard.
Martial had two decent opportunities in the first half, the first when the ball broke to him in the box and the second following a smart turn 15 yards out, but both times he was denied by PSV keeper Jeroen Zoet.
He faded into obscurity in the second half, along with the majority of the United side.
But he at least lasted the game, unlike Depay, who scored at Watford on Saturday, but was utterly anonymous here and was replaced by Young around the hour mark.
Van Gaal will need his attacking quartet to be much sharper in Germany in two weeks time.
What they said:
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We could have finished in the first half but also in the second half, to the end we're not so good any more, we were afraid to play the ball but nevertheless do not give too much chances away.
"I cannot say every game in the interview with you that we didn't finish but it is the truth.
"It will be very difficult because Wolfsburg are the best team in our group to play against, but it is possible.
"We have won also at home and PSV has to win against Moscow, it is not so easy."
What's next?
On Saturday, Manchester United return to league action with an away trip to leaders Leicester, where they lost 5-3 last season.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)
Manchester United
- 01 de Gea
- 36 Darmian (Mata - 85' )
- 12 Smalling
- 17 Blind
- 05 Rojo
- 28 Schneiderlin
- 31 Schweinsteiger (Fellaini - 58' )
- 35 Lingard Booked
- 10 Rooney
- 07 Depay (Young - 59' )
- 09 Martial
Substitutes
- 08 Mata
- 18 Young
- 19 Wilson
- 20 Romero
- 27 Fellaini
- 33 McNair
- 44 Pereira
PSV Eindhoven
- 01 Zoet
- 04 Arias Booked
- 05 Bruma
- 03 Moreno
- 20 Brenet
- 18 Guardado
- 29 Hendrix (Isimat-Mirin - 60' )
- 06 Pröpper
- 11 Narsingh (Pereiro - 18' )
- 09 de Jong Booked
- 19 Locadia
Substitutes
- 02 Isimat-Mirin
- 07 Pereiro
- 08 Schaars
- 10 Maher
- 14 Poulsen
- 22 Pasveer
- 27 Bergwijn
Ref: Pavel Kralovec
Att: 75,321
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