Manchester United and Chelsea ground out a goalless draw at Old Trafford last night that exposed both side’s shortcomings a week before the transfer window closes.

Although United had the better of David Moyes’ first home Premier League game in charge, they lacked the authority to exert the kind of sustained pressure which might have shaken John Terry out of his defensive superiority.

Last season’s Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie barely had a chance of note, his best opportunity coming three minutes from time when his goalbound volley deflected to safety off Gary Cahill and John Obi Mikel.

Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to sign Wayne Rooney at some point in the next seven days.

Playing in a deeper role than Mourinho would use him for Chelsea, Rooney did well on his first start since April.

The England striker took some time to get forward but when he did, he brought a full length save out of Cech, before delivering the corner that Danny Welbeck should have threatened with rather than screwing a header back where it had come from.

Both sides had desperate penalty appeals, United when Tom Cleverley’s shot struck Frank Lampard on the arm, Chelsea after Ashley Cole hit the deck under pressure from Jones.

In the first instance, Lampard was far too close to Cleverley for Martin Atkinson to award United anything. In the second, Cole was lucky not to get booked for diving, such was the minimal contact which preceded his fall.

The introduction of Torres failed to change much, so Rooney’s lung-bursting run back to a corner flag to rob Ramires brought a standing ovation.

United did try to grab a late winner but that failed to arrive as both teams were forced to settle for a point which, under the circumstances, neither will be too unhappy with.