Wayne Rooney isn't a striker and Chelsea played like they were managed by Jose Mourinho

ANALYSIS: Tom Sheen looks at six things we learnt in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford

(2015 Manchester United FC)

Both sides lacking quality

From the first whistle this was an enthralling, tense battle. But it wasn't the kind of fight you see between two boxing greats, trading shots at their peak, this was the kind of fight taking place between those two for a rematch 10 years too late - the fans and the stage was set, but the end product was not what it was. There were flashes of the old Chelsea, flashes of the old Manchester United, but the game made for a great spectacle more because the lack of quality throughout both sides led to mistakes and then chances. Neither side looked secure at the back and bar the two goalkeepers, each of them truly world class, it was hard to pick out another player who looked like he really belonged at the very top level. Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Willian showed bits pieces of their talents, but it was too fleeting and never decisive.

Fans just about with Van Gaal

Despite the one quick-thinking scarf-seller outside of Old Trafford, who put Mourinho's face on some knitwear, there wasn't too much anti-Van Gaal sentiment around the ground. Boos had greeted the half-time and full-time whistles last week but this was a much improved performance from the home side, one that mostly impressed the 75,000 United fans. There were occasions where the fans were frustrated at the slow build-up play, especially from Bastian Schweinsteiger, but on the whole United fans were impressed by the way Van Gaal and his team approached the game, even if it wasn't the result they desperately needed. There were a few muffled boos at full-time, despite loud music being pumped through the tannoy, but it wasn't at all vociferous or angry, some of those Blues came from the Chelsea section as well. There were definitely more clapping than booing.

Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford (GETTY IMAGES)

United unlucky

A few eyebrows were raised before kick-off with the Dutchman's team, especially when Darmian lined up on the left and Young on the right. While Chelsea were happy to sit back and invite pressure, United had a lot of success going forward, with Mata, Young and Martial especially effective. Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Schweinsteiger took it in turns to be the one to hold and the one to burst forward, while Chris Smalling is clearly much happier alongside Blind than he had been next to Phil Jones. It was more United's luck - hitting the woodwork twice, Herrera missing from point blank, a couple of penalty shouts that weren't given - than poor play that stopped them from winning the game.

Rooney's not a striker

It was easily his best performance in a long while but there was still something missing from the captain. Rooney showed a number of good touches and lay-offs, noticeably for the Mata strike that hit the bar and when Schneiderlin sliced just wide, but Rooney himself was rarely on the end of a goalscoring chance. In the first-half he too often dropped into midfield areas to pick the ball up and spread it wide, leaving nothing in the middle for the home side, while he stayed up top after the break and his impact on the game was reduced. He hit a brilliant shot at goal in the first-half from range that was pretty comfortable for Courtois to deal with on reflection, but his best chance came with little time on the board. Borthwick-Jackson whipped over a superb late cross which came quickly to the No 10, unmarked at the back-post. It was a difficult chance but Rooney's execution was poor, getting under the ball and blazing over the top. It was as good as Rooney has played this season but it was more evidence that United need another central striker.

Wayne Rooney (GETTY IMAGES)

Mourinho in disguise

The Blues, still the defending champions despite that rapidly fading memory, came to Old Trafford with no more attacking intent than you would expect from a team who entered the game sitting 16th in the Premier League. In John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic, Hiddink employed two defensive midfielders who sat so deep, about five yards in front of Terry and Zouma, that it wouldn't be amiss to name them centre-backs. Willian and Pedro played like traditional wide midfielders you would have found 15 years ago in 4-4-2, while Oscar and Eden Hazard were happy to sit in the defensive half rather than pressure the United defenders when they had the ball. Chelsea attempted to counter-attack with pace and had a couple of chances to win the game. But Hiddink employed classic Jose Mourinho tactics; playing not to lose and maybe nick a win at the home of a rival. Some of this was because of Chelsea's missing men, but there was nothing new to see for fans of the Blues - the way the Chelsea players reacted at the full-time whistle told a story, too.

More investment needed

The array of players sitting on both benches told its own damning story, despite the great tradition of United and the recent winning of Chelsea, neither club, despite considerable investment is really capable of competing in the Premier League and other fronts right now. Both were without a number of players but the benches contained few quality players. Van Gaal had only Memphis Depay as an attacking option to bring on and Hiddink didn't even really have that - Ramires was his only senior outfield player, hardly the type to come on and make a match-winning contribution. The January transfer window opens next week and both would do well to make a splash, neither are going to be where they want without it.