At least, among all the indignities Louis van Gaal has had to confront recently, Manchester United’s sequence of defeats has been ended one short of it becoming their worst run in a single season since December 1936. Their winless sequence does, however, now stand at eight matches. Even more astoundingly this was their fifth goalless draw in the last eight games at Old Trafford, the only consolation being they did at least play in a way that meant there was only fleeting dissent at the final whistle.