Manchester, Aug. 27: Wayne Rooney returned to Manchester United’s starting line-up but failed to inconvenience his suitors Chelsea in a forgettable 0-0 Premier League draw at Old Trafford.
Rooney was one of the few impressive players on a night when the season’s first major head-to-head clash failed to live up to its billing. The England striker tested visiting goalkeeper Petr Cech on three occasions, while David Moyes, in his first home game as United manager, saw his side refused a second-half penalty following an apparent handball by Frank Lampard.
Jose Mourinho provided a provocative touchline presence and was goaded throughout on his return to Old Trafford as Chelsea coach, but his team rarely threatened ahead of Friday’s Uefa’s Super Cup against Bayern Munich.
The point was enough to send Chelsea top of the nascent standings, but they have played a game more than the rest and United can draw level with them if they win at Liverpool on Sunday.
Rooney’s inclusion in United’s starting XI, for the first time since April, caused the evening’s first ripple of excitement, but Mourinho’s team selection was every bit as eye-catching.
The Portuguese named a team without a recognised striker, deploying Andre Schuerrle up front ahead of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, and leaving Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku on the bench.
Moyes acknowledged in his programme notes that he must prove he is “the right successor” to Alex Ferguson, but the home fans showed their approval of his appointment with a banner reading ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’ that was displayed in the Stretford End.
Twice, Oscar shot straight at United goalkeeper David de Gea, while United’s best chance of the first half saw Robin van Persie deceive half the stadium into thinking a goal had been scored with a snapshot that ruffled the side-netting.
Decision time for Rooney in 48 hours, says Mourinho
Rooney needs to break his silence in the next 48 hours and either commit to Man U or say he wants to leave the club, Mourinho said as he urged his top target to end the transfer saga.
The London club have made two unsuccessful bids for the England striker and have not ruled out making a third with their pursuit of him coming after former United manager Ferguson said in May that Rooney wanted to quit Old Trafford. “I think the person that started the story has to finish the story,” Mourinho said.
“A club like us, a manager like me, we are not silly to try to get a player from a big club, a club that does not sell what they don’t want to sell, we are not silly to try something if somebody didn’t start.”
Asked if he meant did he want Rooney, he replied: “Yes.” He added he would like that to happen in the next “24, 48 hours”.