Home Sports Score Man United vs. Chelsea: Red Devils settle for draw as Moises Caicedo nullifies Bruno Fernandes PK

Score Man United vs. Chelsea: Red Devils settle for draw as Moises Caicedo nullifies Bruno Fernandes PK

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Score Man United vs. Chelsea: Red Devils settle for draw as Moises Caicedo nullifies Bruno Fernandes PK

It has been a turbulent week for Manchester United the firing of Erik ten Hag, Hire Ruben Amorimand former player Ruud Van Nistelrooy took charge of the club until the November international break. While there has been improvement in the squad, it is clear they also have work to do after the 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Sunday.

Bruno Fernandes’ penalty was canceled out by a neat finish from Moises Caicedo. Neither team will be happy with the draw, as Chelsea could have moved into the top four with a win, but it does show improvement for the Red Devils, who have looked more cohesive than in previous weeks. Amorim will need them to work on their finishing, scoring just one goal from an xG of 1.96, while Rasmus Hojlund struggled to get clear in Chelsea’s penalty area. Overall, drawing a top half side is an improvement, but this was a winnable match for both.

Next up is a return to European action, with Manchester United facing PAOK in the Europa League, while Chelsea will host FC Noah in the Europa Conference League.

Here are takeaways from the match:

Chelsea is not yet ready for the Champions League

With a victory The Blues could rise as high as third in the league, but familiar mistakes returned to pinch them against Manchester United. Robert Sanchez’s challenge on Hojlund produced a good defensive performance and turned it into an opportunity to drop points. The keeper was good at stopping shots, but his decisions on corners and challenges were costly on moments like Sunday.

To get to where they want to be, Chelsea cannot afford to crumble in key moments like these. Enzo Maresca has done a good job turning around a tumultuous team, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Returning Reece James to his favored position on the right side of defense will help, as will consistent playing time from the young squad. Chelsea is going in the right direction, but needs time. Unfortunately, with the race at the top of the rankings becoming tighter than ever, things may not be on their side at the moment.

The problems with rush hour continue to exist

Manchester United need to figure out what their best option in the back nine is. Although Hojlund did take a penalty, he did not take a single shot during the match, despite United scoring eleven. That, combined with the fact that Alejandro Garnacho took ill-advised shots during the match, Amorim will have to work on attacking progression immediately. The introduction of Joshua Zirkzee into the game helped as he was a more creative option, but United need to figure out who to turn to when a goal is needed.

Penalties won’t always be there for Fernandes and without steady moves to strengthen their attack, all of United’s key options are underperforming. That could improve as performance levels out, but new tactics will be helpful.

Kobbie Mainoo is irreplaceable

United’s midfield was static outside of Fernandes and one of the reasons for that was that he was unavailable for the match. Young Kobbie Mainoo may only be 19, but at 19 he has become crucial to the United attack. Mainoo seems to want to push the attack forward with his dribbling, while he is also not afraid to shoot. Alongside Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte that will balance United’s rotations, but with only defensive midfielders the wings are not strong enough to create. Amorim favors a back three where the wide areas will be crucial and in games like this you wonder what he will do before the likes of Mainoo and Luke Shaw are healthy.

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