Man United and Villarreal played out another 0-0 draw as both teams advanced to the last 16.
Capdevila sent off as both teams advance to last 16
Manchester United and Villarreal played out another 0-0 draw as both teams advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The holders were only given the occasional alarm at El Madrigal and came closest to breaking the deadlock in each half.
Wayne Rooney had an early effort chalked off after Patrice Evra was ruled offside and the United striker then teed up Cristiano Ronaldo, whose wicked shot was superbly pushed on to the bar by Diego Lopez.
The Villarreal keeper made routine saves from Anderson and Rooney in the second half before the latter's deflected cross was headed off his own line by Joan Capdevila.
Villarreal were reduced to 10 men on 83 minutes when Capdevila was shown a straight red card for a tackle which caught Ronaldo around the knee.
The two sides then ambled through the closing stages to book their spots in the knockout phase after a fourth consecutive scoreless draw between the Group E rivals.
Early scare
There was a scare for Villarreal at the start when Anderson delivered a ball from the left but it was punched away by Lopez as Rooney waited to pounce on any mistake.
Ronaldo was angered in the seventh minute after tussling with Ariel Ibagaza and both players were spoken to by referee Roberto Rosetti. Ibagaza, however, had appeared to dig his nails into Ronaldo's neck.
Rooney's composed low finish from Evra's pull-back was then ruled out after the French full-back had strayed fractionally offside.
Villarreal then carved out a good chance in the 17th minute and Tomasz Kuszczak had to show good reactions to beat away a shot from distance from Santi Cazorla.
Ronaldo was left on the floor 10 minutes later after a stiff challenge from Javi Venta which saw him booked.
The United winger sent a 25-yard free-kick into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Ronaldo then chested the ball back to Darren Fletcher in the 35th minute but again Lopez was able to make a comfortable save.
United almost took the lead in the 41st minute when Rooney laid the ball off to Ronaldo with an exquisite touch.
Ronaldo rattled in a goalbound shot but Lopez got up well to turn his effort onto the bar.
Then a minute later Lopez again denied Ronaldo by turning his free-kick around the post in a good spell of pressure by United.
Ronaldo started the second half as he ended the first by skipping forward in the 51st minute. He rattled in a shot from an acute angle that Lopez parried at the near post.
The winger was astonished to be booked a minute later for not retreating when a free-kick was awarded.
United kept up the pressure and Fletcher found himself clear on the edge of the area in the 57th minute, only to drag his effort wide of the post.
Fletcher then released Rooney and his chip beat Lopez but went narrowly wide of the post.
Brief respite
It was Anderson's turn next but the shot was soft and Lopez was able to gather safely.
Villarreal responded in 65th minute and Cazorla delivered a good cross from the right but the ball skidded away from Capdevila at the last minute.
It was brief respite for the home side with Rooney then testing Lopez with a good volley.
United almost took the lead in the 79th minute when Rooney's cross took a deflection but Capdevila cleared off the line.
Villarreal were then reduced to 10 men four minutes later when Capdevila was sent off for a high challenge on Ronaldo as he tried to race down field.
Despite being a man up, United had little time to make their advantage pay. However a draw confirmed both teams' place in the next stage.
| Villarreal |
Team Statistics |
Manchester United |
| 0 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
8 |
| 1 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 5 |
Corners |
4 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
24 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 1 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 71 |
Passing Success |
80 |
| 18 |
Tackles |
15 |
| 72.2 |
Tackles Success |
66.7 |
| 43.3 |
Possession |
56.7 |
| 53.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
46.8 |
|
