Manchester: Manchester United’s dismal run of results in December continued with a third consecutive Premier League draw as they were held goalless at home to Southampton Saturday, dropping to third in the standings.
United had top scorer Romelu Lukaku carried off on a stretcher early in the game and looked stricken of any thrust or creativity in attack, ending the month with four wins from nine matches in all competitions and without a victory in their last four.
United began December with a 100 per cent record in the league and Europe at Old Trafford but have now failed to win three of their last four home games.
The run of results has left them third in the league with 44 points, 14 behind leaders Manchester City and one behind champions Chelsea, who moved up to second.
Jose Mourinho insisted his side had deserved to win the game and criticised referee Craig Pawson for not giving a penalty in the first half when the ball struck the hand of Maya Yoshida in the area.
Southampton ended a run of 11 league games without recording a clean sheet and move up to 13th in the standings on 20 points.
They were not far from snatching a first win in eight games when Shane Long saw his shot turned over the crossbar by the toe of David de Gea in the second half.
Ibra out for a month
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed, that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be out of action for a month. Ibrahimovic went off at half-time against Burnley December 26, but Mourinho did not divulge the nature of the injury which will keep the former PSG star sidelined throughout January.
reuters