Champions League: Drab Manchester United fire blanks against Valencia

Manchester United produced another anaemic performance as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Valencia in the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho made four changes from Saturday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at West Ham, with Eric Bailly, Antonio Valencia, Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez returning to the starting XI.

However, the changes failed to spark a reaction, with United labouring for large periods. It was Valencia’s Gonçalo Guedes who went closest to opening the scoring in a dour first half. However, his well-struck effort flew just over the bar.

Michy Batshuayi passed up another presentable chance in the second half for the visitors; while it was Marcus Rashford who went closest for United late on but his free-kick clipped the bar.

Just five shots on target being mustered between the two sides over the whole match underlined the lack of quality from an attacking standpoint, with United again unable to get the best out of  Sanchez.

The result means the Red Devils are second in Group H, two points behind Juventus and three above third-place Valencia, but the manner of the display will do little to ease the pressure on their under-fire manager, with Rashford’s late free-kick the closest they came to a winner.