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 additionally they have work to do following a 1-1 draw in opposition to Chelsea at house on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes’s penalty kick was canceled out by a tidy end from Moises Caicedo. Neither staff can be pleased with the draw as Chelsea might’ve gone into the highest 4 with a victory, however it does present enchancment for the Pink Devils, who appeared extra cohesive than in prior weeks. Amorim will want them to work on their ending, solely scoring one aim from an xG of 1.96, as Rasmus Hojlund struggled to get free in Chelsea’s field. Total, drawing a top-half aspect is an enchancment however this was a winnable match for every.
Subsequent up is a return to European motion with Manchester United going through PAOK within the Europa League whereas Chelsea will host FC Noah within the Europa Convention League.
Listed here 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 chew them vs. Manchester United. Robert Sanchez’s problem on Hojlund took 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 wish to be, Chelsea cannot afford to crumble in key moments like this. Enzo Maresca has accomplished job of turning a tumultuous staff round however there’s loads of work to be accomplished. Getting Reece James again to his favored place on the best aspect of the protection will assist as will constant enjoying time among the many younger squad. Chelsea are on target however they want time. Sadly, with the race on the high of the desk getting tighter than ever, it might not be on their aspect 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 because of him being a extra inventive choice however United want to determine who they will flip to when a aim 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 would enhance as performances do stage out however new techniques can be useful.
Kobbie Mainoo is irreplaceable
The United midfield was static outdoors of Fernandes and one of many causes for that’s who wasn’t out there for the match. Younger Kobbie Mainoo might solely be 19, however he is turn out to be vital to the United assault at 19 years outdated. Mainoo appears to push the assault ahead together with his dribbling whereas additionally not being afraid to shoot. Alongside considered one of Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, that may stability out United’s rotations however with solely defensive midfielders, the wings have not been robust sufficient to create. Amorim favors a again three which is the place the large areas can be vital and matches like this one make you surprise what he’ll do earlier than gamers like Mainoo and Luke Shaw are wholesome.
