Moises Caicedo’s crisp volley gave Chelsea a deserved point against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United’s interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, in charge while the Red Devils await the arrival of newly-appointed Ruben Amorim, looked on course for a second successive victory when Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock from the spot in the 70th minute after Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez brought down Rasmus Hojlund.
Van Nistelrooy celebrated wildly on the touchline but United’s elation lasted only four minutes until Caicedo expertly struck a superb shot past Andre Onana from the edge of the area.
It resulted in a share of the points in a largely unspectacular encounter, although Wesley Fofana hit the woodwork with a header in the first half, with United striker Marcus Rashford also volleying against the angle of post and bar before the break.
Van Nistelrooy has certainly coaxed plenty of endeavour from his players as he steps in until Amorim finally succeeds the sacked Erik ten Hag, but he was unable to inspire any genuine quality.
United were comfortable enough in defence in the face of Chelsea’s threat, but there was a lack of creation and cutting edge that ultimately meant they did not do enough to merit victory.
Rashford’s volley was the closest they came until Chelsea keeper Sanchez made an injudicious challenge on Hojlund when the striker looked to have lost control and was moving away from goal.
The young striker was a peripheral figure while Alejandro Garnacho summed up United as a whole.
The Argentine was full of tireless running but his finishing was wayward, especially in the second half when he scuffed a clear chance from Fernandes’ pass, shooting tamely into the arms of Sanchez at the Stretford End.
Van Nistelrooy is clearly determined to enjoy his time in charge and his celebration of United’s goal was a sight to behold: leaping and running down the touchline before pumping his fists towards the elated supporters.
It was a show of emotion in sharp contrast to the reserved Ten Hag, the United legend’s presence receiving approval from around Old Trafford.
United will be disappointed to have lost the lead so quickly, but this is a club that understandably feels like it is in a holding pattern until the new era begins under Amorim after the international break.
Chelsea pretty but not clinical
Chelsea were by far the more composed and ordered side on show at Old Trafford, much better on the ball than Manchester United as they demonstrated the clear identity imposed by coach Enzo Maresca.
Maresca is determined to shape a passing style, but Chelsea’s major flaw here was their habit of taking one pass too many when they had carved out good positions.
It happened too often, and it took one moment of individual skill by Caicedo – who was outstanding once more – to finally give them the end product they had strived for to no avail beforehand.
Caicedo is now looking exactly like the player Chelsea were willing to pay a record £115m for from Brighton at the start of last season, a huge influence in midfield and he broke up United attacks and started his own with regularity.
Chelsea, at times, look an impressive work in progress and quality runs through Maresca’s team, but they were guilty of over-doing that trademark passing style at Old Trafford and it may just have cost them the win.
