Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory of their first Premier League sport since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who might be changed by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in entrance from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time. Caicedo rapidly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on purpose completely different into fourth. Some extent leaves United nonetheless down in thirteenth, six factors off the highest 4. Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take cost of Sporting Lisbon for the one of many closing instances towards Manchester City within the Champions League on Tuesday.
United had been much more aggressive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at dwelling this season, however confirmed most of the identical flaws that price Ten Hag his job.
Van Nistelrooy loved a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in cost to succeed in the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.
Still a hero among the many United followers from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s title was chanted in a buoyant pre-match ambiance.
However, a Chelsea facet which have misplaced as soon as in 9 Premier League video games, supplied a a lot stiffer check for a United facet nonetheless quick on confidence.
Noni Madueke got here closest to opening the scoring for Chelsea within the first-half when he headed Cole Palmer’s nook off the publish.
It took United time to search out their toes as an attacking pressure however they had been unlucky to not go in entrance simply earlier than half-time.
Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley within the final motion of a disappointing first 45 minutes from each side.
Pedro Neto’s burst of tempo practically gave Chelsea a dream begin to the second interval however the Portuguese winger’s shot flew simply previous the far publish.
The Blues stay overly reliant on Palmer for inspiration.
The boyhood United fan, who started his profession at Manchester City earlier than becoming a member of Chelsea final yr, was stored quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.
Before kick-off solely Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League targets in 9 video games this season.
The lack of effectivity in entrance of purpose that Ten Hag typically bemoaned was in proof once more.
Garnacho wasted a wonderful probability to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Sanchez.
United had been gifted the possibility to interrupt the impasse when Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund contained in the field.
Fernandes stored his cool to ship the Spanish worldwide goalkeeper the unsuitable method and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.
United’s pleasure was short-lived as Chelsea hit again inside 4 minutes.
A nook was solely cleared to the sting of the field, the place Caicedo linked a candy strike to fireplace into the underside nook.
Chelsea ought to have struck once more moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.
It was United who got here closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew simply over.
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