United held 0-0 by battling PSV in Champions League

MANCHESTER — Manchester United failed to break down a stubborn PSV Eindhoven in a 0-0 draw in the Champions League yesterday (Nov 25), missing the chance to qualify from Group B with a game to spare.

After wasting a string of openings and then fading against the Dutch champions, United may have to beat Wolfsburg in their group closer in Germany in two weeks to reach the knockout stage.

Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard squandered United’s best chances at Old Trafford, before the home team began to feel the effects of its high-tempo start and PSV started to look dangerous in the final 25 minutes.

A draw will delight PSV, which is third — only a point behind United and two behind Wolfsburg with one round remaining. PSV finishes at home to CSKA Moscow.

In the seventh minute, fans around the ground turned on their smartphone torches to honor the late George Best on the 10th anniversary of the United great’s death. Best, who wore the No. 7 jersey, was one of British football’s greatest players, and some of his wizardry and excitement was what United sorely missed on a night the team harried PSV and dominated possession, but lacked a cutting edge.

The best of the first-half chances fell to the fit-again Martial, who poked a shot straight at goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, and holding midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who couldn’t get enough on a close-range attempt from Daley Blind’s corner.

Memphis Depay started for United on the left wing against the club he left in the summer, but endured a frustrating match and was substituted in the 58th minute.

There was also frustration among United fans, a section of whom jeered the team at one stage after an attack came to nothing. Minutes earlier, center back Chris Smalling attempted to start a move from defense but stopped and threw his hands up in the air in unhappiness at the lack of movement in front of him.

PSV grew in belief as the game wore on and Davy Propper tested United goalkeeper David de Gea from distance.

United’s players looked exhausted in the final minutes, and the final whistle was greeted by lots of boos from United fans. AP