European Champions Draw Blank

Manchester United 0 - Villarreal 0

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Evans, Neville, Evra, Fletcher, Hargreaves (Anderson 62), Park (Roanldo 62), Nani, Rooney, Tevez (Giggs 80)

As expected, Fergie rang in the changes from Saturday's shameful performance. It was a much better and more spirited performance, but the quality in front of goal is still a worry. Even the return of Ronaldo for a half an hour runout didn't help. Although the play significantly got much better.

Villarreal, plagued with injuries problems upfront, came to defence resolutely and went away with a point. They frustrated us with some dogged defending.

I don't really have much to say about this game. I'm pretty sure if this carries on, we're going to get absolutely murdered against Chelsea this weekend. I can't see us scoring against the rentboys, let alone beat them.

This is going to be one long season. I'm sure we're not going to repeat what we did in Europe (too much luck needed there and we used a good amount of it last season). It's probably going to be ridiculously hard to go for a hattrick in the EPL either. Firstly, there's no Africa Cup of Nations. Secondly, we have to trot half way across the globe to Japan for a couple of World Club Cup games in December. Long season ahead.