Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed Manchester United's tough fixture list for their 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Saturday but claimed his side would have won if there were fans in the ground.
The Red Devils were held by the Blues four days after their memorable win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stages, though Solskjaer's side had the better chances.
Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy pulled off two stunning save to deny Marcus Rashford in both halves, while United debutant Edinson Cavani had a goalbound effort blocked by Thiago Silva.
And Solskjaer bizarrely pinpointed the empty Old Trafford stadium for their inability to pick up three points on Saturday night.
The United boss told Sky Sports: 'It was two teams that played in Europe this week and it showed a little in the first-half. In the second half we pushed on and if the Stretford End is full, we might get that ball over the line.
'We pegged them, it was a good block by Thiago Silva and there were two good saves by the keeper against Marcus.
'If we had that stadium or the Stretford End full we could have created more urgency. It lacks, that game lacks.
'You're here watching the game and it's a different sport. We miss the fans.
'It's the same for all teams but everyone agrees that football now has a little less in it, the edge has gone and we can't wait to get the fans back.'
Fans are still not allowed to return to football grounds due to health risks in the UK following the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK Government had pencilled in a phased return of fans at the start of October but a spike in cases led to those plans being scrapped.
Manchester United have failed to win their first three homes matches for the first time since 1972.
Before the Chelsea game, the Red Devils had lost their last two Old Trafford games to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur, the latter being a 6-1 mauling at the hands of former United boss Jose Mourinho.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com