Manchester United's crisis deepened as defeat against Lille left their Champions League hopes in the balance.
Former Spurs star Milenko Acimovic scored from close range after 37 minutes as United failed to respond to their thrashing at Middlesbrough.

Cristiano Ronaldo came closest for United with a second-half header that hit the bar, while substitute Ji-Sung Park also wasted a great chance.

But Lille survived in comfort to leave United lying third in Group D.

Rio Ferdinand kept his place in United's central defence, despite heavy criticism of his display in the 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, while Wayne Rooney was also included after serving a European ban.

But, with Paul Scholes suspended, United rarely posed an attacking threat in a low-key first-half which did little to dispel doubts about their current form.

Mathieu Debuchy posted the warning signals for United with a header that flew narrowly wide after 31 minutes - and six minutes later Lille were ahead.

Rooney and Alan Smith failed to fulfil defensive duties as Gregory Tafforeau raced forward and crossed for Acimovic, who stole between Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre to fire high past Edwin van der Sar from 10 yards.

Van der Sar spared United further embarrassment after 53 minutes when he dived high to his right to brilliantly turn Tafforeau's 20-yard free-kick over the bar.

United came close to an equaliser four minutes later when Ronaldo bundled Rooney's corner towards goal, but it bounced off the bar to safety.

Ferguson made his first change after 64 minutes, sending on Park for Kieran Richardson.

Striker Matt Moussilou wasted a glorious opportunity to seal a famous victory for Lille after 70 minutes when he headed Debuchy's cross wide of an open goal from close range.

As time ran out, Park was clear on goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy's pass but pulled his shot wide.


Lille: Sylva, Chalme, Tavlaridis, Schmitz, Tafforeau, Debuchy, Makoun, Bodmer, Dernis (Gygax 79), Moussilou (Odemwingie 84), Acimovic (Cabaye 76).
Subs Not Used: Malicki, Fauverge, Plestan, Lichsteiner.

Booked: Makoun, Tavlaridis, Tafforeau.

Goals: Acimovic 38.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Fletcher, Smith, Ronaldo (Rossi 89), Rooney, Richardson (Park 65), van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Miller, Bardsley, Pique, Jones.

Booked: Silvestre, Rooney.

Att: 65,000

Ref: Markus Merk (Germany).

from bbc.co.uk


Didn’t see the game as I was at a gig but loosing to Lille must mean a shit performance, I know it was away from home and we have many injuries. I also know that this team isn't as good as the team at the turn of the century, but something as seriously gone wrong at the moment, there seems to be a lack of confidence and a lack of goals.