Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea: Winless run continues for Louis van Gaal

Manchester United put on an improved display for beleaguered boss Louis van Gaal, but failed to find a way past Chelsea at Old Trafford. 

Both teams spurned a number of presentable chances, with the hosts striking the woodwork on two occasions in the first period and United goalkeeper David de Gea made several impressive stops at the other end.
However, a goalless draw left United in sixth place - five points behind Manchester City in the fourth and final Champions League spot, albeit having played a game more than their rivals - while Chelsea move up to 14th in the table. 

Van Gaal had hinted at quitting after a wretched slump in form, but although his side have now gone eight games without victory in all competitions, they at least avoided sinking to five straight defeats for the first time since December 1936.

Manchester United scarves displaying the image of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho were on sale outside Old Trafford

The merchandise sellers outside Old Trafford hawked scarves bearing Jose Mourinho's face but Van Gaal was able to acknowledge applause from large sections inside the stadium as he stepped out of the tunnel.  
The Dutchman recalled captain Wayne Rooney in place of Memphis Depay after the striker had been dropped to the bench for Saturday's 2-0 loss at Stoke City, while experienced German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was back from suspension and full-back Matteo Darmian also returned after a recent hamstring injury.
As for the visitors, interim coach Guus Hiddink was able to call upon playmaker Eden Hazard after a hip problem, with the Belgium international playing as a 'false' No 9 in the absence of suspended striker Diego Costa.

After the match, Louis van Gaal insisted he will not resign

It was United, though, who made a lightning start to the contest, with Juan Mata inches away from opening the scoring against his former club after just three minutes.
However, the Spaniard's well-struck left-footed shot from just inside the area may have beaten Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but not the crossbar.
Chelsea responded to that close call by immediately going up the other end of the pitch and after Hazard had failed to pick out the unmarked Willian in the six-yard box folloowing Daley Blind's untimely slip, it was John Terry's turn to almost break the deadlock.
The Chelsea skipper rose well at the near post to direct a powerful header goalwards from Willian's curling right-wing corner, only for De Gea to make a sensational fingertip save to keep the scoreline goalless.
That was all the champions offered in the opening 45 minutes though as they struggled to pose many questions to United's back four.
The home side, on the other hand, were far more threatening, with all the danger coming down their left flank through the lively Anthony Martial, who was desperately unlucky not to score just past the quarter-hour mark.
Collecting the ball near the left-hand touchline, the powerful Frenchman drove at the retreating Chelsea defence, before cutting in and striking the base of Courtois' near post with a well-struck shot.
The visitors were more purposeful after the break, however, and could have gone in front just three minutes into the second period, but for a brilliant double save from De Gea. The Spaniard first denied Pedro and then on the follow-up Cesar Azpilicueta after an excellent driving run by Hazard had created the openings.