Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: Five things noticed including red flag Rúben Amorim must fix

Five things noticed as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Ruud van Nistelrooy reinstated Rasmus Højlund as Manchester United welcomed Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The tie started with both teams looking to control possession, but both sides were a little sloppy on the ball, giving it away on multiple occasions. After 13 minutes, Noni Madueke hit the post for the visitors from a yard out after Cole Palmer swung in a corner.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Chelsea (Premier League)

As play continued, Chelsea were the first to get a grip on the game, looking to swing crosses into the area for Nicolas Jackson to get on the end of, but to no avail. Just before the first half ended, Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar, but the tie remained 0-0 after 45 minutes.

As the teams re-emerged, United looked to establish themselves in the fixture but struggled in front of the goal. With 20 minutes to play, Rasmus Højlund was brought down in the area, and Bruno Fernandes coolly converted the penalty to give United a 1-0 lead.

However, Moisés Caicedo replied almost immediately, thumping a low strike past André Onana from the edge of the area after Casemiro header a corner clear, and it was game on with 15 minutes left.

As the game drew to a conclusion, United started to open Chelsea up as they gunned for a winning goal, but the side failed to find one, sending multiple efforts over the bar and wide of the posts, with the tie ultimately ending in a draw.

#1 – United looking to play it low

Immediately, it was obvious that United had been instructed to keep the ball low at any given opportunity, with the players often opting to keep the passes short and on the ground.

Although Chelsea were the more dominant team in the first half, neither side seemed willing to take a significant risk to open the scoring.

United started to play more direct football in the second half, and a long pass from Casemiro led to Højlund’s penalty shout and Fernandes’ opening goal, showing that maybe a more direct set-up may have been more fruitful.

#2 – United need patterns

As Gary Neville pointed out in the first half, United’s lack of patterns is evident, and it hurt the players on Sunday afternoon.

The patterns allow the players to stay calm and control the game. They know where their teammates will be and sink into a familiar rhythm on the pitch—something United lacked against Chelsea.

United undoubtedly have the players to do it, but this is a red flag that incoming head coach Rúben Amorim must look to fix quickly if he is to make his mark on the team from mid-November onwards.

#3 – Mazraoui must get his flowers

I’ve typed this many times this season, but Noussair Mazraoui has been such a fantastic signing for United since he started his first game for the club.

Starting at left-back this time, he was fantastic in the position, contributing defensively and in attack while marshalling United’s whole left flank. He was the side’s best player on the night.

Noussair Mazraoui vs Chelsea:

63 touches
33/36 passes completed (92%)
13/16 duels won (81%) — most on pitch
5/5 dribbles completed (100%) — most on pitch

Defensively and offensively amazing. pic.twitter.com/pyDyICH46J

— UtdArena (@UtdArena) November 3, 2024

He had to deal with multiple Chelsea attackers as Maresca consistently and seamlessly changed his side’s right-wing. He is going to be a fantastic asset for incoming head coach Rúben Amorim.

#4 – Something about panicking or fighting back

Throughout this season, United have panicked once they have conceded a goal, regardless of whether they were winning or drawing.

Against Chelsea, however, it seemed a little different. After Caicedo’s equalising effort, United maintained their structure, and although they threw men forward to find a winner, the defence did not panic, which must be credited.

Although it’s only a point, it’s far from the worst point for Van Nistelrooy and his men.

#5 – So much work to do

This United performance shows that there is a lot of work to do for Amorim once he joins the club after next weekend’s fixtures.

The players need structure and instruction, and many need individual respective improvement in some essential areas of football.

It’s both a good and a bad thing. Amorim has a lot of work to do to create a good squad, but he also has many players whom he can mould into players with whom he can build a solid foundation.

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