Rooney should have seen red for Oscar tackle - Mikel Obi

John Obi Mikel believes Manchester United may have been fearful when they had the opportunity to trouble Chelsea in Monday's 0-0 draw.

The result meant Louis van Gaal's side extended their winless streak to eight games in all competitions. "Sometimes you have to be smart and settle for a point", Mikel said.

"Maybe they were a little bit scared". We went into the game not wanting to lose.

The Blues held United to a goalless draw at Old Trafford, their third unbeaten game since Guus Hiddink took over.

The club outlined the size of the task ahead of Mourinho: "We will not give securities or assurance of continuity in our team, if the team has a sequence of two wins (at best)".

But Mikel is remaining upbeat over his side's chances of securing an unlikely place in the top four. Is it the right decision?

"I've been as confused as everyone else", he confessed.

"It is hard when you are not playing, as you do not really know what the problems are", Mikel added. "It was a collective thing - the players and the manager were not performing".

The club recently bolstered their striking options with the re-signing of promising 22-year-old Cameron Porter, who made an impressive start to his rookie season before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, but it remains to be seen just what he can offer at the MLS level.

Referee Martin Atkinson instead showed the United captain a yellow card, while Rooney later apologized to Oscar.

It is less than two weeks since Mourinho was sacked after having Christmas lunch at Chelsea's training ground, but the most successful manager in the club's history already appears to have been consigned to the past, at least by the players.

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