Manchester United had another difficult and disappointing game last night with stubborn Villarreal managing to scrape a point at the Theatre of Dreams.
Ronaldo played for United last night, although not on full cylinders because he is still recovering from an ankle surgery. Berbatov, however, missed Uniteds Champions League opener. He is likely to make his debut for the Champions League in the next fixture, but it wasnt his absence that accounted for the lack of goals.
United dominated the first half of the game thoroughly, with Ferdinand wasting a good opportunity to put the red devils ahead in the seventh minute when he received a fine pass from a corner kick by Hargreaves. Ferdinand wasnt ready, however, and he miscued his shot on target.
United cant be blamed for being disappointed at the referee who denied them a clear penalty seven minutes before half time when Ji Sung Park was brought down by a Capdevila tackle in the box. However, Start, the German referee, saw nothing untoward in the incident.
Later, in the second half, Rooney gave a wonder ball to Tevez in the 70th minute but the Spanish goal-keeper Gonzalo Rodriguez was alert and saved off the goal line.
In a post match interview to BBC, Alex Ferguson was disappointed but still upbeat about Uniteds chances in the Champions League and Premiership. It has been a lacklustre start for his men, having accumulated just one win and scoring just four goals in the last six games. United have been disappointing so far, drawing against Newcastle in their Premiership opener, being defeated by arch rivals Liverpool this past Saturday and now being held at Old Trafford by a stubborn Villarreal. Uniteds only victory this season has come domestically, achieving an away win against Portsmouth.
"We made a lot of good chances, we played really good football, we played with speed. I have no complaints. On another day we could have scored four or five.
"They are a very experienced side, very competitive team. They defend determinedly." Sir Alex told the BBC.
New signing, the Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov is, of course, expected to deliver for United, Ferguson and the supporters. The Bulgarian has collected a knock against Liverpool and was ruled out of the game because he wasnt physically fit for the challenge.
However, Ferguson is banking on the Bulgarian hit man to be paired lethally up front with either Wayne Rooney and/or Tevez as soon as possible.
Uniteds make or break game for the season is coming up this Sunday, 21 September, when they travel to Stamford Bridge and take on Chelsea. Berbatov is expected to be fully fit for the crunch match, which may have lasting consequences for the rest of the season, should Sir Alex Fergusons men fail to obtain something from the match.
