It has been a topsy-turvy week for Manchester United that concerned sacking Erik ten Hag, hiring Ruben Amorim, and former participant Ruud Van Nistelrooy took cost of the membership till the November worldwide break. Whereas enchancment will be seen within the squad, it is clear that in addition they have work to do following a 1-1 draw in opposition to Chelsea at dwelling on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes’s penalty kick was canceled out by a tidy end from Moises Caicedo. Neither staff might be proud of the draw as Chelsea might’ve gone into the highest 4 with a victory, however it does present enchancment for the Purple Devils, who appeared extra cohesive than in prior weeks. Amorim will want them to work on their ending, solely scoring one objective from an xG of 1.96, as Rasmus Hojlund struggled to get free in Chelsea’s field. Total, drawing a top-half facet is an enchancment however this was a winnable match for every.
Subsequent up is a return to European motion with Manchester United dealing with PAOK within the Europa League whereas Chelsea will host FC Noah within the Europa Convention League.
Listed below are takeaways from the match:
Chelsea aren’t prepared for Champions League
With a victory, the Blues might’ve gone as excessive as third within the league however acquainted errors got here again to chunk them vs. Manchester United. Robert Sanchez’s problem on Hojlund took a great defensive efficiency and turned it into an opportunity to drop factors. The keeper has been good at shot-stopping however his choices on corners and challenges have been pricey at instances like Sunday.
To get to the place they need to be, Chelsea cannot afford to crumble in key moments like this. Enzo Maresca has executed a great job of turning a tumultuous staff round however there’s loads of work to be executed. Getting Reece James again to his favored place on the correct facet of the protection will assist as will constant taking part in time among the many younger squad. Chelsea are on track however they want time. Sadly, with the race on the high of the desk getting tighter than ever, it might not be on their facet proper now.
Striker points proceed
Manchester United wants to determine what their best choice on the 9 is. Whereas Hojlund did draw a penalty, he did not take a single shot through the match regardless of United taking 11. That, mixed with Alejandro Garnacho taking ill-advised pictures through the match, Amorim might want to work on attacking development instantly. Joshua Zirkzee’s introduction into the match helped on account of him being a extra inventive possibility however United want to determine who they will flip to when a objective is required.
Penalties will not at all times be there for Fernandes and with out set performs to spice up their assault, all of United’s key choices have been underperforming. That might enhance as performances do stage out however new techniques might be useful.
Kobbie Mainoo is irreplaceable
The United midfield was static exterior of Fernandes and one of many causes for that’s who wasn’t accessible for the match. Younger Kobbie Mainoo might solely be 19, however he is change into crucial to the United assault at 19 years previous. Mainoo appears to push the assault ahead along with his dribbling whereas additionally not being afraid to shoot. Alongside one in every of Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, that can steadiness out United’s rotations however with solely defensive midfielders, the wings have not been sturdy sufficient to create. Amorim favors a again three which is the place the huge areas might be crucial and matches like this one make you surprise what he’ll do earlier than gamers like Mainoo and Luke Shaw are wholesome.
