MANCHESTER: Manchester United endured familiar frustration at Old Trafford by drawing with West Bromwich Albion 0-0 in the English Premier League on Saturday, a damaging result in its bid to qualify for the Champions League.

West Brom was the eighth side to leave Old Trafford with a draw this campaign, joining the likes of Hull, Stoke, and Burnley in defying United.

United stayed fifth and was four points behind Manchester City — the occupier of the final Champions League qualification place — having played the same number of games. City plays sixth-place Arsenal on Sunday.

Winning the Europa League may offer United its best chance of a Champions League return at this rate. Jose Mourinho's side is through to the quarterfinals, where it plays Belgian club Anderlecht.

The absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera through suspension and Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Phil Jones, and Chris Smalling through injury didn't help United on an afternoon when a drab first half made way for a desperate second.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher hit the bar late in the game after a hopeful drive slipped through David de Gea's grasp, but it was West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster — another ex-United player — who shone brightest, his best stop being a one-handed save to deny Marcus Rashford in the second half.

United drew an 11th league match of the season and the final whistle was greeted by jeers.