Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea

It may not be appreciated by the disillusioned masses, but there are at least two very good reasons to keep an eye on Manchester United and Chelsea this season. The goalkeepers.

David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois were quite exceptional. Faultless, one might say, and not just because they didn’t have much to do. This was really quite a good game, despite those twin zeros. Manchester United were livelier than they have been for some time and Chelsea carved out some extremely good chances, although not many of them, due to the absence of a specialist goalscorer.

Even so, the reason the match stayed goalless, beyond some wasteful finishing, was De Gea and Courtois. Both made outstanding saves and, when Courtois could not, the woodwork came to Chelsea’s rescue. It was a useful point for the visitors, more so than Manchester United, but it is not a result that should affect Louis van Gaal’s job prospects dramatically. This is United’s longest run without a win since 1990 and their sixth 0-0 draw at Old Trafford this season, and that is not a good look on any manager. 

Nemanja Matic wasted the best chance of the match by firing the ball over David de Gea's goal when he had plenty of time and space

The Serbia international reacts by putting his hand on his protective mask after seeing his effort sail over the woodwork at Old Trafford 

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera came close to scoring from close range however Thibaut Courtois dived down to his left

Herrera hides his face in disappointment after squandering a golden opportunity for Manchester United during the second half 

Belgium international Courtois was already diving the right way when he kept out Herrera's effort with minimal fuss

MATCH FACTS, STATS, PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE FROM OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea 8.5; Young 7, Smalling 6, Blind 5.5 (Jones 81), Darmian 6 (Borthwick-Jackson 70, 6.5); Schneiderlin 7, Schweinsteiger 6.5; Mata 6 (Depay 77, 5), Herrera 7, Martial 7.5; Rooney 6

Booked: Smalling, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Rooney

Subs not used: Romero, Carrick, Fellaini, Pereira

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois 8; Ivanovic 5, Zouma 6.5, Terry 6.5, Azpilicueta 6; Mikel 6, Matic 5; Willian 5.5 (Ramires 70, 6), Oscar 6 (Loftus-Cheek 93), Pedro 6.5; Hazard 7.5

Booked: Mikel, Hazard

Subs not used: Begovic, Baba, Traore, Djilobodji, Kenedy 

Referee: Martin Atkinson 7 

Attendance: 75,275 

Ratings by Chris Wheeler