Manchester United's Wayne Rooney lines up a free kick during their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United at St James' Park in Newcastle, northern England, April 19, 2011.  [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Manchester United's title charge was slowed when they drew 0-0 at a determined Newcastle United on Tuesday and missed the chance to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League standings.

United, playing their first game since being sent tumbling out of the FA Cup by rivals Manchester City in the semi-finals on Saturday, could not break down a resolute Newcastle backline.

The home side dominated possession for large parts of the match at St James Park with Peter Lovenkrands squandering their best opening with a header in the first half.

United, who showed signs of a cup hangover, had chances to break the deadlock with Javier Hernandez going close and Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs guilty of bad misses.

United now have 70 points from 33 games, seven points above second-placed Arsenal and nine ahead of Chelsea although the London sides both have a game in hand.