Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (L) is challenged by Chelsea's Ramires during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England August 26, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

 

MANCHESTER-- Wayne Rooney's headline-grabbing presence couldn't inspire Manchester United to victory in David Moyes' first home game in charge as Chelsea ground out a 0-0 draw Monday in the Premier League's first marquee matchup of the season.

Rooney, the subject of two bids from Chelsea over the summer, played the full 90 minutes in his first start of this season and was one of the few standout performers in a disappointing match at Old Trafford that failed to live up to its billing.

Chelsea played with no recognized striker for 60 minutes and barely threatened, although a draw keeps the team unbeaten after three matches in Jose Mourinho's second spell and top of the early standings on seven points.

United had the better of a hard-fought, error-strewn game, with Danny Welbeck wasting its best chance in the second half, but the attacking spark that lifted them to a season-opening 4-1 win at Swansea last weekend was missing.

Rooney's name on the United team sheet added extra spice to a match between two perennial title contenders that is always eagerly anticipated. Just as eye-catching, though, was Mourinho's surprise lineup that included six midfielders and no pure center forward.

What was essentially a 4-6-0 formation by the visitors ensured a congested midfield and few clear-cut chances at either end. A game watched around the world was something of a let-down.

Rooney, who was given a warm ovation by United fans and serenaded with chants of "We'll see you next week" and "Sign him up" by the travelling Chelsea support, was neat and tidy throughout in his role behind Robin van Persie, linking up play well and showing good fitness levels.

He had started on the bench at Swansea, coming on for the final 28 minutes and also looking sharp, and Moyes certainly made a statement by selecting him here in what was arguably the biggest match so far in the Scot's coaching career.

Van Persie has replaced Rooney as the leading striker at United but he couldn't break down Chelsea's sturdy center-back partnership of John Terry and Gary Cahill, with a 23rd-minute shot into the side-netting the Dutchman's only real chance.

At the other end, Oscar had two low efforts easily saved by United goalkeeper David de Gea in the first half but Chelsea's counter-attacks were sporadic and ineffective.

In one of the many subplots surrounding the game, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand played against each other for the first time since Terry allegedly racially abused Ferdinand's brother, Anton, in a league match in October 2011. The pair shook hands before kickoff.