
Interim manager and former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge again this weekend, and for a while, it looked like the Red Devils were on course for back-to-back wins. Captain Bruno Fernandes put United ahead with a penalty in the 70th minute, but Chelsea quickly responded, with Moises Caicedo scoring a beautiful volley just four minutes later.
The game could’ve gone either way, especially with Wesley Fofana and Marcus Rashford both hitting the woodwork in the first half, but in the end, a draw felt like a fair result in a largely uneventful contest. Chelsea’s point at Old Trafford was their first since April 2022, boosting them into a Champions League spot ahead of London rivals Arsenal.
United, meanwhile, are still struggling, with only one Premier League win since mid-September, leaving them stuck in the bottom half and searching for consistency. With Old Trafford hosting more stalemates than any other Premier League fixture, let’s dive into the main talking points.
**Amorim Watching from Afar**
While van Nistelrooy was on the sideline, it was Ruben Amorim, the incoming manager from Sporting Lisbon, who captured everyone’s attention. With Amorim set to take charge officially on November 11th, he’s inheriting a team in need of direction after Erik ten Hag’s exit last week following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
United’s recent form has been poor, with just one league win since mid-September and a six-point gap from the European places. Amorim’s first game will be on November 24th against Ipswich, following the international break.
**Chelsea Charge into Champions League Spot**
Chelsea might have felt a bit frustrated with just one point from Sunday’s game, but Enzo Maresca’s side has still climbed into a Champions League spot. Despite being knocked out of the EFL Cup with a 2-0 loss to Newcastle earlier in the week, Chelsea’s league form has been impressive, suffering only one defeat in their last nine matches.
Maresca’s impact since joining in the summer is evident, with the team looking strong as they prepare to face Arsenal next weekend in what’s sure to be another intense London clash.
**United’s Ongoing Defensive Woes**
United’s defensive struggles were on full display again as they failed to secure a first league win since October 19th. Despite a midweek EFL Cup win over Leicester in a 5-2 thriller, their backline remains vulnerable. United’s defense has struggled all season, with only one clean sheet in their last nine games across all competitions and none at home since the season opener against Fulham.
These issues will likely be high on Amorim’s agenda as he prepares to take charge, with the team needing to regain defensive stability to climb up the table.