Manchester United's new era without Erik ten Hag in the Premier League started with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Result: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
Date: 03 November 2024
Venue: Old Trafford
Man United interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy kept the same side that lost to West Ham United, Ten Hag's last game, apart from Manuel Ugarte, who took the place of Christian Eriksen.
Chelsea also did not tamper with the side that edged Newcastle United in the lead, as Nicolas Jackson continued to lead the line, with support from Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke.
The Blues had a strong start and were unfortunate not to go ahead on 14 minutes after Madueke's close-range header came off the post from a cross by Palmer.
United grew in the game after that but they were not threatening in the last third, as the match was on the edge.
After a long period sizing each other out, Marcus Rashford had a big chance for the Red Devils on the stroke of half-time after Bruno Fernandes' chipped pass found him unmarked at the back post but his side-footed volley came off the top post and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
Enzo Maresca's charges started the second stanza on a high note as ten minutes later Neto almost broke the deadlock with a cracking shot that zipped past the post.
However, Chelsea went behind with 20 minutes to go after Fernandes converted a penalty that was conceded by shot-stopper Robert Sanchez, who brought down Rasmus Hojlund in the box.
It took just four minutes for the Blues to respond after Moises Caicedo fired home an unstoppable volley from a rebound on the edge of the box.
Van Nistelrooy did not want to take chances at the back in the dying minutes with a tactical change, as Victor Lindelof replaced Ugarte.
United defended deep but were a threat on counter-attacks as Alejandro Garnacho almost got the winner towards the end with a volley unmarked at the far post that brushed the top of the crossbar.
Chelsea could not break down the Red Devils, as the game ended all square.
