Manchester United vs. PSV Eindhoven: Winners and Losers from Champions League
Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven played to a scoreless draw in a drab UEFA Champions League match at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The hosts had a chance to qualify for the round of 16 with a victory but were unable to capitalize on their dominance in possession.
With the draw, United now head into the final day of group play potentially needing a result against Wolfsburg to reach the knockout stages, depending on whether PSV defeat CSKA Moscow in Eindhoven.
Here Bleacher Report selects winners and losers from the match.
Winners: PSV Fans
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Before the match, PSV supporters unfurled a banner wishing Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw a speedy recovery. Shaw suffered a broken leg on Matchday 1 as United lost 2-1 at PSV.
It was a classy move from the traveling fans, and Shaw acknowledged it with a post on Twitter. "Thank you to the PSV fans for your nice gesture," he tweeted. "Looking forward to the game tonight."
Winner: Old Trafford's George Best Tribute
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Starting in the seventh minute, the home fans began to light up Old Trafford in a move designed to honor Manchester United legend George Best.
One mobile phone will hardly make an impact in a venue as large as United's home ground. But several thousand turned the Old Trafford stands into a constellation of lights.
Wednesday marked 10 years since Best's death, and the tribute from United's fans created a nice effect at the ground.
Loser: Entertainment Value
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If you find it odd that the first two articles in this slideshow mentioned almost nothing of Wednesday's game, don't worry. There was a reason for that.
To wit: Little of the football on display at Old Trafford on Wednesday night was memorable enough to warrant comment. PSV executed a solid defensive game plan very well, but it has to be said Manchester United were poor in the attacking third.
The hosts finished with seven shots on target, but you'd hardly know it. Apart from a miss by Jesse Lingard in the second half, United largely failed to trouble PSV.
At full-time, the home fans jeered in disapproval as United trudged off the pitch. The home team entered the game with a chance to qualify for the Champions League round of 16, but on Wednesday's evidence, this is not one of the continent's top sides.
"Terribly flat, shapeless 2nd half performance from #MUFC," tweeted NBC Sports broadcaster Arlo White. "Lacking energy. Looked less likely to score as half has gone on."
"This is awful," tweeted MUFC Peoples Person. "Where's the urgency? The desire? Shocking."
United can still progress, but at the moment, they're terribly difficult to watch.
"We could have finished in the first half but also in the second half, to the end we're not so good any more," United manager Louis van Gaal told reporters, per BBC Sport. "We were afraid to play the ball but nevertheless do not give too much chances away."
Loser: Memphis Depay
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Manchester United winger Memphis Depay struggled through Wednesday's match, failing to make an impression against his former club.
After signing for United from PSV in the summer, Memphis has failed to live up to expectations apart from the odd glimpse of quality. Deployed on the left, the Dutchman frequently lost his individual battle with Santiago Arias and was subbed off after less than an hour.
Memphis simply must improve.
Winner: Group B
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Through five rounds of matches, little is settled in Group B.
Wolfsburg sit atop the section with nine points, one ahead of Manchester United and two clear of PSV Eindhoven. Only CSKA Moscow, with four points, have been eliminated.
Heading into the final matchday, Wolfsburg, Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven can still qualify. That's good news for neutrals but potentially bad news for United.
Louis van Gaal's side must travel to Germany to face the group leaders on Dec. 8. Anything other than a win could imperil United's chances of moving into the round of 16.
That's because PSV will host CSKA the same day. With CSKA already eliminated, the Russians have little to play for, and PSV will expect to win. With that in mind, United know a victory is necessary.
"It will be very difficult because Wolfsburg are the best team in our group to play against, but it is possible," Van Gaal told reporters, per BBC Sport. "We have won also at home and PSV has to win against Moscow; it is not so easy."
