The National's Sport cover for the issue of Sunday, August 23, features Wayne Rooney and Manchester United in a dispiriting goalless Premier League draw.
United were held at Old Trafford by Newcastle. A first-half goal by Rooney was waved offside, and United could not take advantage of several second-half chances .
Richard Jolly, touching on a summer of Man United near-misses in the transfer market for players such as Pedro and Sergio Ramos, writes that Louis van Gaal's side have the appearance of one lacking in top-shelf, match-winning talent:
“Another near-miss and another sense of ambitions being frustrated has given the impression that United lack stardust. This was not an occasion to alter such perceptions.
“Van Gaal’s United find themselves shorn of a “galactico” and short of goals alike. When referee Craig Pawson signalled the end of a stalemate, albeit one that initially seemed to have refreshing properties, their league campaign had still included only two goals: both at the right end, none at the wrong.
“A club with a rich tradition of entertainment are made to look misers.”
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