Roo: Reds need to find killer instinct

WAYNE Rooney admits Manchester United must re–discover their killer instinct if they are to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League.

United’s place in Europe’s top club competition was put in doubt following a disappointing 0–0 draw against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford last night.

Rooney, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin all missed good chances as United dropped to second in Group ‘B’ with one match left.

GOALS

“No, we’re not,” the United captain said when asked if his team were ruthless enough.

“I think we need to score more goals as a team.

“I feel we showed a lack of composure which put ourselves under pressure a lot of times.

“It’s a learning curve for us, but we can’t go on saying it’s a learning curve. We have to start turning these games into wins.”

Boos reverberated around Old Trafford after the final whistle and the fans’ annoyance was understandable.

United knew a win would send them through with a match to spare, but instead they rarely looked like scoring when inside the visitors’ box and their play was slow at times during the second half.

The last time there was a goalless Champions League fixture at Old Trafford was in September, 2010, when United played Rangers.

United went on to reach the final that year, but matching that feat this season seems a long shot after this 0–0 draw.

The only way United can guarantee their place in the last 16 is if they defeat Wolfsburg away in two weeks’ time.

If United fail to beat the Germans and PSV overcome CSKA at home, United will slip into the Europa League.

Rooney is confident that will not happen.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t win this game,” said the striker, who returned to the starting XI following a throat infection.

“Going out to Germany is always tough, but we have to believe in ourselves and have the confidence in ourselves to (win).

“It’s not the way we wanted it to be, but that’s the way it is and we believe we’re good enough to go out there and get the three points.”

Louis van Gaal echoed the comments of his captain.

The United manager said: “We have won our home match against Wolfsburg (2–1 in September), so why can’t we win in Wolfsburg?”