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Relegated Sunderland thwart United
 Wayne Rooney (red) is blocked by the Sunderland defense as United's title hopes faded at Old Trafford. MANCHESTER, England -- Sunderland held Manchester United to a shock 0-0 draw at Old Trafford but were still relegated despite their battling display. United are now six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea before the champions visit Bolton on Saturday needing just seven points from five games to retain their title. Sunderland, rooted to the bottom with 12 points from 33 games, cannot now catch 17th placed Birmingham City and return to the second division after just one season. United were overwhelming favorites to pick up three points in their late bid to catch Chelsea in the title race, but ran into a determined Sunderland side. Sir Alex Ferguson's side dominated play and created countless chances but inspired goalkeeper Kelvin Davis managed to keep strikers Wayne Rooney and Ruud Van Nistelrooy at bay. In the first half man-of-the-match Davis produced sparkling saves to deny Ryan Giggs and Rooney before Sunderland went close through Liam Lawrence and Jon Stead, who hit the side netting. After the break United piled on the pressure but Sunderland refused to wilt as Van Nistelrooy just failed to connect with the ball in front of an open goal after Davis misjudged a cross. Just after the hour mark Davis saved from Cristiano Ronaldo before coming up with another breathtaking stop low to his right to turn away a snap-shot on the turn from Van Nistlerooy. As the home fans in a 72,519 crowd cranked up the volume to encourage United to break the deadlock, Sunderland defended in numbers but even four minutes of added time was not long enough. Sunderland were the first team to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford this season as they ended United's run of nine straight Premier League wins and boosted Chelsea's title bid. "We need a miracle now of course and it has given a great boost to Chelsea," said Ferguson. "But we can't give up because we have come too far to give up. We're still a very good team." "If you come to Manchester United and keep them out it's a fantastic performance and we could possibly have even won the match," said Sunderland captain Gary Breen. "It has been a tough season for a lot of our players. It was a bit too much in terms of experience -- but our fans are amazing and deserve to be in the Premiership." 
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