More frustration for Man United in 0-0 draw vs West Brom

Jose Mourinho (center) looks out during the match against West Bromwich Albion

Manchester United endured familiar frustration at Old Trafford by drawing with West Bromwich Albion 0-0 in the English Premier League on Saturday, a damaging result in its bid to qualify for the Champions League.

West Brom was the eighth side to leave Old Trafford with a draw this campaign, joining the likes of Hull, Stoke, and Burnley in defying United.

“It’s an amazing unbeaten run, 19 matches in the modern Premier League,” United manager Jose Mourinho said, “but too many draws at home because some draws away from home are very acceptable, positive. You can deal with it but too many draws at home.”

United stayed fifth and was four points behind Manchester City — the occupier of the final Champions League qualification place — having played the same number of games. City plays sixth-place Arsenal on Sunday.

Winning the Europa League may offer United its best chance of a Champions League return at this rate. Mourinho’s side is through to the quarterfinals, where it plays Belgian club Anderlecht.

The absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera through suspension and Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Phil Jones, and Chris Smalling through injury didn’t help United on an afternoon when a drab first half made way for a desperate second.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher hit the bar late in the game after a hopeful drive slipped through David de Gea’s grasp, but it was West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster — another ex-United player — who shone brightest, his best stop being a one-handed save to deny Marcus Rashford in the second half.

United drew an 11th league match of the season and the final whistle was greeted by jeers.

Mourinho was critical of his attackers. “We need to kill opponents. This is deja vu all season,” Mourinho said. “And when you score a goal against these teams, you don’t win 1-0, you win 3-0 or 4-0 because you score a goal and then the game is open.

“We miss easy chances, we have moments or periods to push really, but then a couple of players they disappear, and there are 10 minutes when you don’t see them. You see always the same people, always the same guys – always the same guys in front of the train pulling the train.” AP