Manchester United and Chelsea traded second-half goals in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday that left plenty to the imagination.
[ MORE: Man Utd vs Chelsea player ratings ]
Bruno Fernandes converted a 70th-minute penalty won by Rasmus Hojlund, and Moises Caicedo’s seeing-eye shot four minutes later gave the Blues both a quick answer and a share of the points.
Chelsea’s point moves them into fourth place on 18 points, ahead of Arsenal and Aston Villa on goal differential.
[ MORE: Biggest challenges for Amorim at Man Utd ]
Man United’s 12th point keeps the Red Devils in 13th place with a League Cup win and now a PL draw under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, as United await the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim, 39, from Sporting Lisbon. Amorim will take up his position at the outset of the November international break.
Manchester United remain in the eye of the beholder
Manchester United locked down the middle of the field, brought plenty of adventure to the final third, but struggled putting the ball in the goal. Only the first part feels new at all, and that’s a result of new signing Manuel Ugarte working well with resurgent Casemiro. Everything else that happened Sunday under Ruud van Nistelrooy was something we’ve seen plenty of times under Erik ten Hag, and the Dutchman would’ve wryly watched this match and, perhaps even more so, the reaction to it. There wasn’t more spirit. There weren’t more chances. And there certainly weren’t more goals. But, if you want it, you got a solid defensive performance that was only broken down by a seeing-eye shot off a half-clearance. United won the xG game, lost the possession fight, and didn’t deliver the final ball. We’d argue that it’s more of the same, a point that could’ve been three, and that what Ruben Amorim brings to the final third will be as important as anything changes that come from his back three.
What’s next?
Man United host PAOK on Thursday in Europa League play, then entertain Leicester City at 9am ET Sunday in the Premier League.
Chelsea host Armenian side FC Noah on Thursday in the Conference League before Arsenal come to Stamford Bridge at 11:30am Sunday.
How to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday (November 3)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch online via NBC.com
Manchester United vs Chelsea final score: 1-1
Bruno Fernandes pen. 70', Moises Caicedo 74'
Manchester United vs Chelsea live updates — By Nick Mendola
Full time — Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
A fair draw, although United will probably feel it deserved a win.
Double change for United
Joshua Zirkzee comes on for Hojlund, and Victor Lindelof is on for Ugarte.
1-1, 84'.
Moises Caicedo goal! Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea (74th minute)
A set piece is cleared into the air and to the feet of Moises Caicedo outside the 18.
The Ecuadorian drills a low shot between the legs of teammate Mykhailo Mudryk, who had just subbed in, and it beats the diving Andre Onana.
Man United sub
The Red Devils make their first sub. It’s Amad Diallo for Rashford in the 73rd minute.
Penalty to Manchester United! Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea (70th minute)
Casemiro with an outstanding pass that just clears a leaping Wesley Fofana.
Hojlund touches around Sanchez, whose brings both hands down on the Dane’s plant foot. Once the striker hits the deck, there’s only going to be one outcome.
Bruno Fernandes goes to the spot. Denied by Sanchez from the spot last year, he rolls this one home.
Brutal miss by Garnacho
Oooooooooooof.
Bruno Fernandes leads a long rush and freezes the entire Chelsea back line with a cutback.
Fernandes feeds Alejandro Garnacho for a beautiful chance and the Argentine youngster just flubs a 10% hit into the arms of a waiting Robert Sanchez.
There have been some bad misses this weekend. This one’s right up near the top.
One sub at the break
Marc Cucurella comes on for Malo Gusto. Reece James will be the new right back.
Halftime — Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea
Man United’s two big chances say the Red Devils should be in front, but Chelsea have had more of the ball, more shot attempts (6-4) and an advantage in xG (1.08-0.62).
The depth on the bench, though, says Chelsea could turn this game in their favor.
Sanchez save!
Manuel Ugarte drives play and it leads to a shot for Hojlund.
It’s enough to challenge Sanchez, who gets low to push the ball wide of the post.
Two Man Utd stars shaken up
Marcus Rashford drives the end line and cuts back for Bruno Fernandes, but the chance goes wanting.
Rashford runs off into the end boards and is shaken up, while Rasmus Hojlund was felled in the build-up.
Both play on, and Alejandro Garnacho curls a shot into the arms of Robert Sanchez.
0-0, 24'.
Stuttering start capped by poor corner
Little spells for both sides have been highlighted by lack of end product through 10 minutes.
The latest frustration is a Chelsea corner kick that failed to test United keeper Andre Onana.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James, Lavia, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
Manchester United lineup
Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund
Manchester United focus, team news
Van Nistelrooy is expected to be in charge for this game and he will go for an ultra-attacking lineup again. Hojlund and Mazraoui could come back into the lineup, while the trio of Casemiro, Fernandes and Garnacho were electric in midweek with the former scoring twice (including a beauty) and Fernandes also bagging a brace. With United’s incoming boss Amorim preferring a back three, it will be intriguing to see how this group of players are tweaked to become a cohesive unit in the coming weeks and months.
OUT: Leny Yoro (foot), Harry Maguire (calf), Kobbie Mainoo (other), Antony (ankle), Luke Shaw (calf), Antony (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Mason Mount (head), Tyrell Malacia (knee)
Chelsea focus, team news
The quartet of Jackson, Palmer, Madueke and Neto have been excellent in attack in recent weeks and Maresca has found a nice balance to this team. Having Reece James back at right back has been a bonus, while the midfield duo of Lavia and Caicedo give Chelsea a more solid defensive balance in midfield and they win the ball back higher up the pitch. Defensively there are still some issues for Chelsea to work through but if they can figure that out then they’ll be in the top four hunt all season long. That is a big step forward this young group.
OUT: Omari Kellyman (thigh), Jadon Sancho (loan - unable to face parent club)
Manchester United vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like a game where United will be hoping to impress their incoming boss so will take a few more risks in attack. It should be more open but Chelsea are really good on the counter and will expose United’s defensive weaknesses. Manchester United 2-3 Chelsea.
