Manchester United face uncertainty after draw with Villarreal

Manchester United's future still hangs in the balance after they were held to a goalless draw by visiting Villarreal on Tuesday in a European Champions League Group game.

After the disappointing draw in the penultimate round of the group contentions, United need to beat Benfica in Lisbon to ensure qualfication, although a draw will suffice if Villarreal beat Lille in their final game in Spain.

Wayne Rooney was the shining star of a subdued United display.

He was denied by goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa in the second minute then shot narrowly over the top late on.

Members of the Glazer family were in attendance at the end of a traumatic few days at Old Trafford, as the fall-out from Roy Keane's departure continues to hang over the club.

And the game ended with frustrated supporters chanting the name of the departed Keane as manager Alex Ferguson walked down the touchline.

Gary Neville was fit enough to take his place on the bench after being out since August following groin surgery.

And he saw United make a vibrant start to their first home clash since the end of Keane's United career.

Rooney was in brilliant form, and he almost created a chance out of nothing in the second minute, pulling down Cristiano Ronaldo's cross only to be denied as goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa dived at his feet.

The England youngster was then frustrated again when his goal-bound shot inadvertently struck Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Paul Scholes also had a half-chance, but he delayed uncharacteristically in the area and allowed Villarreal to clear.

For all United's domination of possession and territory, Villarreal's resilience was hugely impressive, despite the absence of influential Argentine midfield man Juan Roman Riquelme and Diego Forlan.

The Spanish side had been regarded by some as dark horses for the Champions League, and Ferguson was forced to make a change as early as the 52nd minute in a bid to break their resistance.

Park Ji-Sung was introduced for the subdued Darren Fletcher, and was almost on target instantly after more good work by Rooney, only to see his shot blocked.

Villarreal were growing in confidence, and they were also frustrating United - and Rooney in particular - with gamesmanship designed to break the flow of play.

Ronaldo should have broken the deadlock in the 67th minute, but he headed wastefully wide from Wes Brown's excellent cross.

It was Brown's final contribution, as he was then replaced by Neville, who received a rousing reception on his return to action at Old Trafford.

Rooney then almost produced a late moment of inspiration with a rising drive from the edge of the area that was only inches off target.

Source: Xinhua