It’s one win in five league games for Manchester United as they were held at Old Trafford by Chelsea today. They went ahead in the second half through Bruno Fernandes but were unable to hold onto it for long. It was a generally frustrating affair which saw six Utd players booked.
It did see the London side move into the top four ahead of Arsenal, but they flattered to deceive. Despite their attacking threat, it was their midfield who most impressed especially Moises Caicedo who landed the equaliser. They were unable to push on for the three points and remain without a win here since 2013.
Ruud made three changes from the first win in midweek. Andre Onana reclaimed his place in goal whilst Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Holjund also started. On a young-looking bench, Ethan Wheatley, Jayce Fitzgerald and Harry Amass were all named as subs. No place for either Christian Eriksen or Antony. Chelsea rested several players for their loss to Newcastle during the week but reverted to the same lineup that beat the same opposition at home last weekend. Jadon Sancho would have been absent due to his loan agreement but had been struggling for starts. Enzo Fernandez was again on the bench with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia preferred.
Despite the abundance of talent on display for both sides, it was an oddly tentative opening quarter. Chelsea possibly saw more of the ball in midfield but the tackling was impressive from the home side. Noni Madueke had the best chance of the game when he headed against a post from a corner with the Utd defence claiming that Casemiro had been pushed in the buildup. An error between Andre Onana and Casemiro then almost saw a short pass out rebound over the bar.
The home quartet had been relatively quiet up until this point but then burst into life. A run and shot by Marcus Rashford was saved by Robert Sanchez before the rebound was put wide by Bruno Fernandes. A breakout after a Chelsea attack broke down led to an opportunity for Alejandro Garnacho. His effort was tame, however.
Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte were proving to be a pair of immoveable whenever the away side were able to mount an attack. The Dutchman in particular made some crucial blocks in his own penalty area.
Perhaps the best chance Utd had came with the half-time looming. Fernandes floated in a cross towards Rashford at the back-post. He had peeled off the back of Reece James and met it with a volley across the keeper. It smacked off the bar though.
If that flurry of action, made fans hope for a goal filled second half, they were sorely mistaken. At both ends, the key attacking players were being nullified and the midfield pair from both sides engaged in a personal battle.
The deadlock was broken with twenty minutes to go. A precise ball over the top was taken down superbly by Rasmus Hojlund. He had stolen off the attention of Wesley Fofana and went to go around Sanchez. The goalkeeper came to try and block him but only succeeded in taking him down. Despite the protests, the penalty stood, and Fernandes slotted it into the bottom corner. The reaction of Van Nistelrooy reminded of when he scored goals in front of the Stretford End.
The lead was not long in lasting though. A corner was only partially cleared by Casemiro towards Moises Caicedo. His volley went through the legs of his team-mate, Mykhailo Mudryk, and into the bottom corner. The away side then had an excellent opportunity to go ahead through Enzo Fernandez. It appeared to be a foul in the buildup, but play was allowed to continue. It fell to the substitute who attempted to beat the block of De Ligt but only managed to put it over the bar.
Garnacho had frustrated with his finishing all afternoon but came closest to a winner as the game entered the final minute. His effort went just over the bar. Fernandes also could have claimed the winner only for his chance being snatched at. A moment of controversy came in injury time when Lisandro Martinez went in late on Cole Palmer. He was booked when Chelsea players were calling for a red.
All square then so at the end with both sides left frustrated. The interim manager will be pleased with the defensive solidity and chasing back. It appears to be at the other end that work need to be done. Once that clicks, we could be a dangerous prospect to anyone. It is critical to gain a first win in Europe on Thursday when we take on PAOK at 20:00 before his final game in charge against Leicester next Sunday at 14:00. Chelsea take on Noah at Stamford Bridge on Sunday before a huge game at home to Arsenal on Sunday at 16:30.
Manchester United: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Matthjis De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Carlos Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte (Victor Lindelof 84), Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford (Amad Diallo 72), Rasmus Hojlund (Joshua Zirkzee 84).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Jonny Evans, Ethan Wheatley, Jack Fletcher, Jace Fitzgerald.
Booked: Manuel Ugarte (42), Diogo Dalot (45), Marcus Rashford (67), Carlos Casemiro (86), Lisandro Martinez (90+3), Amad Diallo (90+5)
Sent off: None
Chelsea: Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Moses Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Madueke, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson
Subs not used: Filip Jorgenson, Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernandez, Mykhalio Mudryk, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Renato Veiga.
Booked: Malo Gusto (36), Nicolas Jackson (90+4),
Sent off: None
Referee: Robert Jones
Attendance: 73,813
Stretty News Player of the Match: Matthijs de Ligt