Manchester United held by relegated Sunderland

Sunderland held Manchester United to a shock 0-0 draw at Old Trafford yesterday but were still relegated despite their battling display. United are now six points behind leaders Chelsea before the champions visit Bolton Wanderers today needing just...

Sunderland held Manchester United to a shock 0-0 draw at Old Trafford yesterday but were still relegated despite their battling display.

United are now six points behind leaders Chelsea before the champions visit Bolton Wanderers today needing just seven points from five games to retain the title.

Sunderland, rooted to the bottom with 12 points, cannot now catch 17th placed Birmingham City and swiftly return to the second division after promotion as champions.

United had most of the play and created countless chances but Sunderland goalkeeper Kelvin Davies was in inspired form to keep out United strikers Wayne Rooney and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze was named among the substitutes after recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of the game for the past seven months.

On Thursday, manager Alex Ferguson said that Manchester United will do everything possible to help Heinze play at the World Cup.

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