Manchester United denied two penalties in draw with Chelsea

Louis van Gaal failed to pull off the victory that could save his job as Manchester United were held 0-0 at home in their Premier League clash against Chelsea.

In what could have been the Dutchman’s last game in charge he set out his players in their correct positions and chose his best 11 eleven available, in what may have been a first for him in his time at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney was recalled to the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench against Stoke City. United hit the bar twice in the opening stages, and were denied two compelling penalty appeals.

Guus Hiddink was looking for his first win as the new Chelsea manager, and Nemanja Matic wasted a fantastic one-on-one chance minutes after Ander Herrera had a shot saved from two yards out. In injury time, Rooney should have seen red for an awful tackle on Oscar but was merely given a yellow.

A draw is an awkward result for United and Van Gaal. It is clear that they will part ways sooner rather than later, but they were the more impressive side. Ed Woodward has a difficult decision to handle.

3’ - MATA HITS THE BAR - United hit the post! From just inside the box Mata smashes a shot against the bar with a quickly taken left-foot volley.

5’ - DE GEA SAVE - Willian clips in a corner for Terry, whose diving header is brilliantly tipped over by De Gea. Rooney let Terry run free for the header.

16’ - MARTIAL SHOT - United have had most of the ball so far, but you can tell why they struggle. This time, Martial cuts inside from the left, and smashes a shot at the near post, it rebounds off and away.

48’ - DE GEA SAVES - Pedro is through on goal with only De Gea to beat, and he stretches out to palm it to Azpilicueta, and the 'keeper recovers to stop his shot from a tight angle.

56’ - HERRERA CHANCE - Martial comes down the left, slides in a pass along the six-yard box, Herrera meets it but Courtois blocks it at point-blank range with a vital save.

62’ - MATIC MISS - Blind's corner is headed out by Mikel. Pedro sprints down the right, he picks out Matic in yards of space. He faces De Gea, and blasts it miles over the goal. Terrible.

63' PENALTY APPEAL - Mata goes down under a tackle from Azpilicueta but the shouts are wave away.

64' PENALTY APPEAL - Willian appears to handle the ball, no spot-kick given.

Chelsea are unbeaten in six Premier League matches against Manchester United.

This is the sixth 0-0 home draw for United this season.

[MATCHCAST: FULL MATCH STATS AND COMMENTARY]

Is this draw enough to save Louis van Gaal? United were much improved over their performance against Stoke City, but then again getting shot in the foot is an improvement over getting shot in the head. They failed to score against an awful Chelsea side, and their captain Wayne Rooney fluffed two good chances. There’s no compelling reason for Ed Woodward to keep Van Gaal on beyond trying to protect his own position. He backed Moyes’ appointment before - he is sitting on two duds.

John Obi Mikel (Chelsea): Despite United being the more impressive, it was Mikel who played the best football of all on the pitch. He was superb in screening the defence in a way that Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas have failed to do for most of the season, and could enjoy a run in the side under Guus Hiddink.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Darmian 6, Smalling 6, Blind 6, Young 6, Schneiderlin 7, Schweinsteiger 6, Mata 6, Herrera 6, Martial 7, Rooney 5. Subs: Borthwick-Jackson 6, Jones 6, Memphis 6.

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Ivanovic 5, Zouma 6, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 6, Mikel 7, Matic 6, Willian 6, Oscar 6, Pedro 6, Hazard 6. Subs: Ramires 6, Loftus-Cheek 6.