Chances Go Begging

Despite creating a hatful of chances, two of which were beautifully converted by Paul Scholes, United had to be content with a draw against an injury ravaged Newcastle United who played with real composure and fought for 90 minutes.

The unpalatable truth is that though Shay Given was magnificent in goal for Newcastle, too many United players wasted good opportunities to score. A wonderful short through ball inside the full back from Saha gave Ryan Giggs the chance to open the scoring as early as the 8th minute, but he screwed his shot narrowly wide. Saha himself burst through 16 minutes later but Given saved brilliantly. The pattern was set and as the game wore on a lacklustre Rooney (twice) and Park missed when they might normally be expected to score and in the 82nd minute a powerful header from Ronaldo was cleared off the line by Solano.

A win at St James Park would have given Sir Alex’s boys a 9 point lead. Now they must hope Aston Villa can beat faltering Chelsea at home.