By David Hobbs
September 18 2005

Manchester United played out their 2nd successive goalless draw in 5 days after a slow, patient and often boring display against old rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Bore Draw at Anfield

Liverpool 0

Manchester United 0

The result leaves United 7 points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand but, like Liverpool, are yet to be defeated in the Premiership.

"You could see it had 0-0 written all over it from early on. Maybe this game it just too important now. There's maybe pressure on players that makes it difficult for them to relax. That could be a reason," explained Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I thought we had enough of the ball to win it. We showed good professionalism, good composure and we just lacked a cutting edge.

"Players are superbly fit at the moment and its difficult to get time on the ball. That will relax itself once we get to November and the pitches get a bit softer."

Roy Keane surprisingly returned from a hamstring injury that was supposed to have kept the Irishman out for a month. However, the skipper returned at the expense of Darren Fletcher.

Alan Smith was also included in midfield while Kieran Richardson's spell at left-back began as Gabriel Heinze nurses a long-term knee injury.

The game started at a high tempo with hard-tackles, as normal derby games start. Steven Gerrard clattered into Edwin van der Sar early on as he looked to inspire his team to a win.

The Reds captain then went accidentally close with a swerving free kick from the left that bounced past his team-mates. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy had his own chance to break the deadlock from a free-kick moments later after Steve Finnan's foul on Wayne Rooney but made Jose Reina's life easy with a weak effort. The Dutchman then tried an audacious chip after being teed up by Rio Ferdinand but could only find the roof of the net.

United cranked up the pressure in the second half but lacked the end product. The hosts meanwhile were again denied by Van der Sar as Steven Gerrard's one-two with John Arne Riise nearly cracked the faultless goalkeeper following a zipping drive.

Mohamed Sissoko should have stole the points towards the end from a corner before Ryan Giggs' rushed last second free-kick sailed over the bar.

Final Score: Liverpool 0 - 0 Manchester United
Att: 44,917

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise, Crouch, Sinama Pongolle. 
Substitutes: Cisse, Josemi, Carson, Traore, Sissoko.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Richardson, Smith, Scholes, Keane, Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy. 
Substitutes: Howard, Giggs, Park, Fletcher, Bardsley.

Refereed By: R Styles