Cambridge United 0-0 Manchester United: Reds held to disappointing goalless draw

Manchester United's season-long run of disappointing performances hit new heights at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium on Friday, where they were held to a goalless draw by the League Two minnows. It was a shocking display from Louis van Gaal's side, and it means the Reds will have to win a replay at Old Trafford if they're to progress into the fifth round.

United's only real chance of the first half was a half-chance in the opening few minutes, when Daley Blind surged down the left and forced the opposition goalkeeper into a save with a drilled cross-cum-shot. Otherwise, Cambridge were rarely given a scare, and created the best chance of the first 45 when a corner resulted in some penalty box pinball. Fortunately, the ball ended narrowly over the bar.

The only positive of the opening period was that United's two centre-backs were pretty solid, with Marcos Rojo looking particularly up for the fight.

It took a while for things to improve in the second half, though eventually United settled into the match and started to dominate possession. United's first clear-cut opportunity of the game came to Falcao just past the hour, though he was denied by a fine save after a smart first-touch on Michael Carrick's through ball. 10 minutes later substitute Robin van Persie took receipt of the ball in the box, though smashed his effort over the crossbar.

However, perhaps the best chance of all was the very last one, when the lively Adnan Januzaj's effort was punched into the path of Ángel Di María, only for the Cambridge stopper to make a smart diving stop on the Argentine's venomous effort. It was a save that ensured the hosts celebrated on the final whistle, and consigned United to a clogged fixture list. Save for a couple of reasonable performances, this is a match United will want to quickly forget.