MANCHESTER UNITED held Chelsea to a 1-1 bore-draw at Old Trafford as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s new-manager bounce fell flat.
United struggled to put on a show for new gaffer Ruben Amorim, who arrives on November 11, as they sit 13th in Premier League table.
Cole Palmer threw the first punch as Matthijs De Ligt kept his shot out inside 10 minutes[/caption]Old Trafford was full of verve and excitement pre-match but that fizzled out courtesy of another flat showing from their players.
Noni Madueke had the best first chance after his header somehow smacked off the post from three yards out, before Levi Colwill missed the rebound.
Apart from a couple of dazzling touches from Cole Palmer the first half lacked any sort of spark or quality.
Marcus Rashford came agonisingly close to giving United the lead on the stroke of half-time but his volley hit the angle of post and bar.
However after some dire stuff from both teams, Bruno Fernandes’ 70th minute penalty put the home side ahead.
But the penalty, given away after keeper Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund’s foot for the foul, left Chelsea needing to react.
And Moises Caicedo provided the goods with a stunning controlled volley just four minutes later, to leave Chelsea without a victory at Old Trafford in their last 12 visits.
Lisandro Martinez rode his luck in the closing stages with a knee-high challenge on Palmer, which was reviewed by VAR but deemed not worthy of a sending off.
Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated every Man Utd player…
Andre Onana – 5
Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.
Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass too.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possible
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Good early block to deny Palmer.
Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.
Matthijs De Ligt played a full 90[/caption]Lisandro Martinez – 6
Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.
Casemiro – 7
Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Always a threat but wasted some great chances.
Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.
Better from the England man.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.
Subs
Amad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)
Thrown on to keep things tight and did that.