MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United, reduced to 10 men after the sending-off of Paul Scholes, were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Lille in their Champions League Group D match today.
The English side, who remain top of the group, dominated possession but lacked the creativity to break down a well organised defence and their French visitors looked the more likely winners after Scholes' 63rd-minute dismissal.
The former England midfielder was shown yellow cards for two late tackles and United, without suspended striker Wayne Rooney, ran out of ideas as they tired in the closing stages.
The hosts went closest to scoring in the first half when Ryan Giggs, on his 100th European appearance, curled a free kick just wide.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich beat Juventus 2-1 today to take a stranglehold in Group A with a maximum nine points from three games.
Sebastian Deisler opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a shot from just inside the box that struck goalkeeper Christian Abbiati's thigh and flew in. Seven minutes later, Martin Demichelis headed in a Deisler corner for the second.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back in the final minute, blasting in from a corner, but Bayern held on.
Juventus had won seven out of seven in Serie A and both their Champions League fixtures going into Tuesday's game but they were stopped in their tracks by a Bayern side willed on by a 66,000 full house at their new World Cup stadium.
Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero came on as a substitute for his 100th appearance in a European club match and forced a good save from Oliver Kahn but there were few other chances for the Italian side.
Despite the defeat, Juve remain well placed to qualify for the knock-out phase with six points.
- REUTERS
Soccer: Man Utd held as Scholes sent off
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