Manchester United 0-0 Southampton: Ashley Young is lucky to escape a red, Henrikh Mkhitaryan back from the wilderness and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is removed from the starting lineup – FIVE THINGS YOU MISSED

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Manchester United’s festive form continued to nosedive as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with Southampton.

Romelu Lukaku was taken off in the first-half with a serious head injury, as both sides wasted chances to score throughout.

A third consecutive draw for Jose Mourinho’s side means Manchester City can extend their lead to 16 points with another victory, while Chelsea leapfroged United into second by one point.

Here, Sportsmail brings you a round-up of all the things you may have missed from the clash at Old Trafford...

Celebs check in one last time in 2017

Strictly Come Dancing finalists Aljaz Skorjanec and Gemma Atkinson were in attendance

Lord of the Rings actor Dominic Monaghan was also present at Old Trafford on Saturday

Fresh off their recent defeat in Strictly Come Dancing, finalists Aljaz Skorjanec and Gemma Atkinson were seen enjoying Manchester United’s final game of 2017

Joining them at Old Trafford was Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan, who was also in good spirits for the chilly end-of-year clash.

Teamsheet error

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was included in the original lineup against Southampton by Jose Mourinho

The decision to start with both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku in the same starting line-up backfired somewhat against Burnley. 

Based off that small piece of evidence, not too many United fans would’ve been protesting for an immediate repeat.

Prior to kick-off, the team-sheet issued by the Manchester giants did in fact suggest that both Zlatan and the club’s £75m marquee forward would again both start, only for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to be brought back from the wilderness for the game itself.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan back from the wilderness

Henrikh Mkhitaryan made his first start for Manchester United since November 5

Speaking of Mkhitaryan, this was his first start in a Manchester United shirt since his side lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back on November 5.

Mkhitaryan lasted a little more than 60 minutes and endured a mixed spell on the pitch, delivering a few accurate passes which others wasted, and wasting possession in key areas himself.

His statistics made for grim reading: one shot, eight crosses - three accurate - and he lost possession 18 times.

The Armenian forward had made just four substitute appearances before facing the Saints, with many suggesting that he is set for a move away from Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

Saints keeper finally makes his league debut

Alex McCarthy was handed a first league start since signing for Southampton in August 2016

Southampton signed Alex McCarthy from Crystal Palace back in August 2016, but the shot-stopper had to wait until the end of 2017 to make his league debut.

Fraser Forster was dropped by Manuel Pellegrino following a poor run of form, prompting the England U-21 international to step in between the sticks. 

McCarthy certainly proved his worth, holding Man United to a clean sheet to mark his debut in the best way possible.

Ashley Young gets away with one?

Ashley Young appeared to get away with an elbow directed into Dusan Tadic's midriff

Ashley Young can be seen looking towards the referee shortly before the incident

Mid-way through the second half, Ashley Young had an altercation with Dusan Tadic that could land him in a spot of bother.

As Southampton took a corner, Young was seen to elbow Tadic with what appeared to be a deliberate move. 

No official at the time picked up on it, which means the United full-back could land himself a retrospective ban in the coming days.

As the referee looks away Young then appears to elbow his opposite number on the line