Manchester United drew 1-1 with league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight in a tense match that many had anticipated United with no chance of winning before the game began.
The first half was dominated by Chelsea as they were superior in possession. Chelsea had an early chance when Ziyech took a shot on the spin from a tight angle, but David de Gea saved it brilliantly. Hudson Odoi found himself one on one with the keeper in the fourth minute, but De Gea made another amazing save to deny him.
United was disorganized, particularly in the defense, as they struggled to win and keep possession of the ball. Having said that, United tried to press Chelsea and reclaim the game, even if they fell short.
They were settling into the game and launched their first attack at the twenty-minute mark when they made a counter-attack, which ended when Fernandes, who had started it, swept it wide.
👏 Big up our travelling Reds and everyone that supported us across the 🌍#MUFC | #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/rEUePHvQAW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 28, 2021
It was a half-chance, but if they were to gain anything out of this game, they’d have to show more quality in attack. The Blues, on the other hand, was tirelessly attacking. Rudiger’s effort from outside the box struck the crossbar in the 30th minute. De Gea may have touched it with his fingertips, but it was the woodwork that kept United in the game.
United showed some promise with nice runs and counterattacks, with Rashford and Sancho storming forward on occasion, but the score remained level at halftime.
It had been a tense game throughout, and the second half was no exception. With a blatant challenge on Chalobah, Marcus Rashford found himself in the book. James took the free-kick and placed it in the box, but what occurred next stunned everyone.
Just past the halfway line, a United clearance found its way to Jorginho’s foot. He mishandled the ball and didn’t seem to notice Rashford and Sancho racing at him at the same time. Sancho stole the ball and the two were off, with no Chelsea player insight. Sancho maintained his composure as he slipped it past Mendy.
United seemed revitalized, and while Chelsea had their moments (a series of corners sparked concerns among United supporters), it was United who appeared to be a threat.
Calmness personified 👌
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 29, 2021
Then, after a rash clearing by Wan-Bissaka, he kicked through the back of Silva, giving Chelsea a penalty. Jorginho redeemed himself for the Blues with a goal.
Michael Carrick’s substitutions seemed odd since the two players with pace who ignited the counter-attack that led to the opening goal were left on the bench in the second half with a lot of work to do for United.
The game was on the line; it could have gone either way, but with Chelsea’s corner after corner, it appeared that the home team would take the points as we approached the final ten minutes.
Mendy almost gifted United a goal as he passed the ball straight to Fred, but instead of passing it to Ronaldo who was waiting out wide, he tried to chip it over the keeper. But it was a simple catch for Mendy, who had shifted his position.
Tuchel was awarded a yellow card late in the game after becoming enraged at a corner given to United despite Ronaldo being offside. Except for the booking, nothing came of it. Rudiger had the opportunity to win the game in the last seconds. As the ball was crossed into the box, he was unmarked, but he blasted it over the bar, as he held his head in frustration.
Not a bad performance for Carrick, who remains undefeated. As Ralf Rangnick has been appointed as the new manager, United will have a lot of work to do to improve their gameplay.
Here are three key takeaways from the game:
Carrick’s team stuck with the plan right till the end:
It’s clear that Carrick will be present against Arsenal and the former Champions League winner has done an outstanding job of presenting himself for one more game before Rangnick takes over his role.
The freefall that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lose his job came to an end with a win away at Villarreal and a point away at Chelsea. Carrick hasn’t been hesitant to release big players, and both Fred and Jadon Sancho has made significant improvements.
Due to the need for a work visa, Ralf Rangnick, the club’s new manager, may not even be in command for Thursday’s game against Arsenal.
Carrick, on the other hand, has demonstrated that he has something to offer beyond filling in for the German while he is away.
Playing a midfield with three players:
For their match against Chelsea, United began Fred, Nemanja Matic, and Scott McTominay in what appeared to be a defensive decision.
Following humiliating defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City, there was definitely a focus on defending well, and the three guys in the midfield all put in strong performances.
Chelsea, as expected, dominated possession and created numerous opportunities, putting United under strain for a long stretch of the game.
From a defensive sense, however, Fred and McTominay’s legs and Matic’s intelligence appeared to work effectively. Rangnick will have to figure out how to maintain this defensive steadfastness without sacrificing the attacking flair that United fans have come to expect.
Song of redemption:
With the Ballon d’Or winner announced on Monday, Jorginho chose an inopportune time to make a major error in front of the entire world.
But, luckily for him, he didn’t have to wait long to redeem himself from the penalty spot, and after his recent miss for Italy, he showed courage and calmness to step up and score.
United fans may have cursed Aaron Wan-Bissaka for his poor tackle that resulted in the penalty, but he also made a crucial block to prevent Timo Werner from making it 2-1 later in the game.
It all works out in the end.
What’s next:
Manchester United now faces Arsenal on Friday in another crucial Premier League match for both teams. Meanwhile, Chelsea will face Watford on Thursday.
