Birmingham 0-0 Man Utd: FT Report
PA
Birmingham City claimed their first ever Premiership point off Manchester United in a goalless draw of few clear-cut opportunities at St Andrews.

Blues, who were without five senior players through injury, matched the Red Devils for long periods as they extended their unbeaten run to five games.

David Dunn was impressive, particularly in the first half, before running out of steam in his second start in eight months, while Robbie Savage was an increasingly influential figure.

Blues manager Steve Bruce would also have been encouraged by the way that Emile Heskey and Dwight Yorke appear to be gelling up front in only their second start together.

That will be crucial to City's aspirations after the loss of Mikael Forssell and Clinton Morrison through injury.

United fielded an ultra attacking line-up and in the second period had all four of their strikers on the pitch.

But, apart from one first-half effort by Ruud van Nistelrooy, they seldom looked like finding a way through the home defence in which Matthew Upson was impressive.

Equally the return of Rio Ferdinand has brought a more solid look about the United back four and, with the exception of a couple of close scares courtesy of Heskey, they restricted Blues to half chances.

Birmingham began promisingly and Yorke got on the end of an inswinging cross from Dunn, only to send his header over the bar.

Yorke had another half chance when Dunn turned a low cross from Mario Melchiot into his path, but his shot on the turn was blocked and Roy Carroll was able to save easily.

Van Nistelrooy held off Upson's challenge before having his first effort on goal, a curler that did not trouble Taylor.

A mis-hit shot from Dunn almost played in Yorke, but his first touch was not sharp enough and the ball ran through to Carroll.

Birmingham were creating the better opportunities early on and Carroll went down to his right to parry away a left-footed drive from Heskey after he had combined with Yorke.

Then Dunn made good ground into the United area to send a header wide from a lowish cross from Jesper Gronkjaer, who up until then had been giving the ball away far too easily.

It was 32 minutes before United had a shot on target and then Taylor easily dealt with a 25-yard effort from Ronaldo above his head.

The clearest opportunity of the opening period fell to van Nistelrooy after 37 minutes when he timed his run perfectly to meet a cross from Quinton Fortune. He sidefooted the ball towards goal from six yards out, but Taylor reacted well to block the shot with his feet.

United were starting to look more of a threat and Taylor kept out a fierce effort from a narrow angle by Ronaldo, who had been played in by Keane.

Bruce brought off the ineffective Gronkjaer at half-time and gave a first taste of Premiership action at Birmingham to Darren Anderton.

Savage became the first player to be yellow-carded in the 50th minute for a challenge on Keane.

After 59 minutes Ferguson made his first change, introducing Wayne Rooney in place of Kleberson which meant he had all four of his strikers on the pitch.

Savage was having more and more of an impact and one through ball played in Heskey, whose low shot was blocked by Carroll.

But a Saha volley collected by Taylor was the nearest that either side came to breaking the deadlock after that and a point apiece was the right outcome.

# Fergie: You can write us off

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United are not yet showing the kind of form required to haul them back into the Premiership title race after a goalless draw at Birmingham.

The United boss is concerned that his side have been on target only nine times in their last nine games ahead of next weekend's clash with champions Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Ferguson had four strikers on the pitch in the second half at St Andrews in Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Alan Smith but his side still drew a blank in front of goal.

Their best chance fell in the first half to van Nistelrooy but he was foiled at point-blank range by City goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

Ferguson said: 'Everybody is right to write us off because we're a few points behind everyone. Football is a funny game and things can change.

'We are capable of winning the league but we need to show the form that is capable of doing that. We're not doing that at the moment.

'The Arsenal game is a must-win one for us and we want to win it, that's the most important thing. Showing great desire will be important next week.

'I didn't know about the statistic of only nine goals in nine game until somebody told me but it would be a concern.

'We are renowned for scoring goals and there is no doubt that we have got the players who are capable of doing that.

'But sometimes when players return from two weeks away on international duty there is some tiredness and they have been having different preparations for their games with national teams than they do with us.

'But we faced that in the past and dealt with it and so we have to make sure we bring in more freshness next time.'

Ferguson praised the never-say-die approach of Birmingham who went close themselves in the first half through Emile Heskey and former United striker Dwight Yorke.

He said; 'You've got to give Birmingham fantastic credit. It was a real battle. But with the tackles they put in, we never got any composure.

'There was no rhythm to our game and they just kept pressurising the ball and tackled and challenged everywhere. You've got to give them full marks for that.

'Whether they can do that all season I would doubt very much. When it comes to March and April time they will struggle. You can't keep that pace up all the time.'

Birmingham assistant manager Eric Black praised the performance of stand-in left-back Julian Gray, who shackled United winger Cristiano Ronaldo before the Portuguese teenager was substituted midway through the second period.

Black said: 'Ronaldo is one of the top wingers in the world and Gray was outstanding against him.

'He is not naturally a left-back so to go and give that sort of performance speaks volumes for him.

'The players worked very hard and maybe on another day they might have got something more from the game.

'We created more chances in the first half and in general we've got to be very happy with the performance.

'With the quality of team United have, they are always going to create chances against anyone but it would have been cruel had one of those gone in today.'