Manchester United’s new-manager bounce fell flat as they shared the factors in a stale 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Previous Trafford that confirmed their worst-ever begin to a Premier League season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, United’s interim boss till Ruben Amorim arrives on November 11, was unable to assist his facet replicate their free-scoring efficiency from Wednesday’s 5-2 Carabao Cup win over a weakened Leicester.
Chelsea, now with out victory at Previous Trafford within the league on their final 12 visits, have been the higher facet for many of the recreation however allowed United to get in entrance by way of Bruno Fernandes’ second-half penalty after Rasmus Hojlund was introduced down by Robert Sanchez.
Surprised into motion, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, the most effective participant on the pitch in a recreation sorely missing high quality, clapped again 4 minutes later with a sweetly-struck volley that beat Andre Onana by way of the legs of Mykhailo Murdyk.
Lisandro Martinez rode his luck within the closing levels with a knee-high problem on Cole Palmer, which was reviewed by the Video Assistant referee, however deemed undeserving of a sending off, opposite to the opinion of Gary Neville. “Martinez is lucky. I think it is a red.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was in full settlement. “When you go for a player or the legs, there is no doubt about the decision. I think it is quite clear it is a red,” he stated after the sport.
The guests all the time felt extra possible winners however did not put United away. Noni Madueke headed onto a put up early within the first half from shut vary, though, if the ball had gone in it possible would have been pulled again for a push within the again on Casemiro.
Marcus Rashford closed the primary half by putting the body of the aim on the volley after a move from Fernandes, who together with Alejandro Garnacho spurned first rate probabilities late within the second half.
Maybe essentially the most perplexing facet of the sport was Chelsea’s sloppiness towards a United facet they’re much better than on the proof of this season. The purpose does, nevertheless, take them above title-chasing Arsenal on aim distinction after the Gunners’ defeat at Newcastle.
Van Nistelrooy, restricted in his choices due to harm, solely made one change from Erik ten Hag’s final recreation earlier than his sacking and, unsurprisingly, the result was extra of the identical from a facet that stay thirteenth within the desk, with three wins from their opening 10 video games.
Keane: Amorim ought to’ve signed an extended deal
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane:
“Ruben Amorim should have signed a longer contract. There is a long way back for this team.
“That is a mean Manchester United group. All of the stats again that up. They’re hit or miss – you by no means know which group will flip up. Not good.
“‘Boring’ seems a bit strong. But they lack conviction. It’s really disappointing. It’s so flat.
“This group is means off getting again within the high 4.
“You look at certain individuals and they think they’re better than they are. United are average at everything. There is nothing special about them. It was very quiet at Old Trafford. I was glad when the referee blew the final whistle.”
Van Nistelrooy: Disillusioned we did not take the win
Man Utd interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy:
“Slightly disappointed that we didn’t take the win to be honest. We had the better of the chances in the game.
“Total, I believe the efficiency of the gamers was improbable. They left their all on the market on the pitch and in the long run, in fact, we accept a draw.
“[When we scored] it was a great moment, when you heard Old Trafford explode and in such an important moment. Bruno did really well taking the penalty and then the emotions come out.
“I’ve loved each second of it. I’m right here to assist and [after these two games] much more. And we are going to all get behind the brand new supervisor and hope the membership grows.”
Maresca: Martinez should have seen red
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca:
“We knew that it will be a troublesome recreation. For an enormous a part of the sport, we managed it fairly nicely, however within the final 10 minutes we misplaced a little bit of stability by way of our need to win the sport.
“Overall, they were quite similar [under Van Nistelrooy compared to Ten Hag] we expected them to be a bit more aggressive. Overall, the game was quite clear.
“On this stadium, towards this group, if you go down it’s troublesome to return again and we did that. After which we tried to win the sport and misplaced a little bit of stability.”
Asked about player of the match, Caicedo, Maresca added: “Since we arrived, he’s doing improbable. We’re very proud of him.
Requested about Martinez’s potential red-card problem on Cole Palmer, Maresca stated in his press convention: “They [TV] showed me [the challenge] before the press conference,” Maresca informed reporters. “I think it’s quite clear for all of us and they [officials] took a different decision.
“When there is no such thing as a intention to go for ball and also you solely go for the participant, it is a pink. He [referee] did not say nothing, however if you go for a participant or the legs, there is no such thing as a doubt concerning the determination. I believe it’s fairly clear it’s a pink.”
Chelsea let Man Utd off the hook
Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea boss, will no doubt come away from Old Trafford feeling like this was an opportunity missed. Seeing Arsenal and Man City lose on Saturday, this was the moment for Chelsea to capitalise and close the gap on the title chasers.
Manchester United hardly made life difficult for Chelsea at Old Trafford, either. The game was there for the taking and sloppy passes from Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in midfield only offered further encouragement to the Premier League’s third-highest scorers.
“Chelsea let Manchester United off the hook at present,” Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane stated after the sport.
Chelsea had been thought of forward of schedule on the early showings of this season, so quickly after the arrival of their new head coach, however this efficiency gave us a little bit of a actuality test about the place they really are within the image on the high of the desk.
Undoubtedly, the Blues are firmly within the hunt for better of the remaining, beneath the highest three golf equipment in Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal and Liverpool, however with inconsistencies nonetheless being labored out of the group, it looks like a stretch to say that they’ll sustain with these sides proper now.
There’s loads to be enthusiastic about for these of a Chelsea persuasion, although, with this squad boasting the youngest common squad age within the Premier League period. It speaks volumes concerning the fast progress of Maresca that they’re already in these conversations.