Manchester United were held to a goalless draw at home to lowly Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday, denting their hopes of a top four finish in the Premier League.

The result leaves United on 47 points in fourth place, two points ahead of Arsenal but the Gunners have three games in hand and the dropped two points could prove crucial in United’s attempt to get into next season’s Champions League.

Ralf Rangnick’s side were booed off the field at the end of the draw against relegation-threatened Watford having failed to test visiting keeper Ben Foster enough.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the post in the fifth minute with a shot on the turn and then had an effort ruled out for offside.

The former Real Madrid forward turned in a low cross from Alex Telles but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag.

Before the game both teams had gathered behind a banner featuring the word ‘peace’ in several languages, held by German interim manager Rangnick and some United fans waved Ukrainian flags.

Eriksen returns

Newcastle United claimed a fourth win in five league games with a crucial 2-0 victory at 10-man Brentford allowing them to pull away from the relegation zone.

Brentford were up against it from the moment Josh Dasilva was sent off in the 11th minute and Newcastle took full advantage with Joelinton heading them in front.

Joe Willock made it 2-0 after a Newcastle counter-attack shortly before halftime.

Brentford barely threatened the Newcastle goal and even an emotional debut appearance for Christian Eriksen as a 51st-minute substitute could not spark a response.

Eriksen, who joined as a free agent in January after his contract with Inter Milan was cancelled, was making his first competitive appearance since collapsing eight months ago from a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020.

Leeds stumble

Leeds United’s relegation fears intensified after they slumped to a 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Having conceded 16 goals in their last four matches, Leeds had clearly not solved their defensive issues ahead of Spurs’ visit, and whatever game plan they had was thrown out the window within 15 minutes as Matt Doherty and Dejan Kulusevski put Spurs 2-0 up.

Harry Kane volleyed home a third in the 27th minute, making Leeds only the second side in Premier League history to concede three or more goals in five consecutive matches in the competition, after Sunderland in November 2005.

Son Heung-min completed the rout late on, on the end of a sumptuous pass from Kane.