Chelsea drew 1-1 at Old Trafford, and Manchester United lost their first Premier League match since firing Erik ten Hag due to a goal from Moises Caicedo. After Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead with a penalty kick 20 minutes from the end, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later this month, ran down the touchline in celebration. Caicedo promptly responded on behalf of the Blues, who move up to fourth place on goal differential from Arsenal. United is still six points outside of the top four in 13th place after dropping a point. Amorim was not present because he is getting ready to lead Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League match against Manchester City on Tuesday for one of their last games.
Although United displayed many of the same shortcomings that cost Ten Hag his job, they were far more competitive than in their 3-0 home losses to Liverpool and Tottenham this season.
In his first game as manager, Van Nistelrooy led his team to the League Cup quarterfinals in midweek with a 5-2 thumping of a weak Leicester.
The Dutchman’s name was chanted in a lively pre-match atmosphere, and he remains a hero among United supporters from his days as a prolific striker.
But a Chelsea team that has only lost once in nine Premier League games presented a far more difficult test for a United team that is still lacking confidence.
When he headed Cole Palmer’s corner off the post in the first half, Noni Madueke came the closest to giving Chelsea the lead.
United struggled to establish themselves as an offensive force, but they were unlucky not to take the lead right before halftime.
Marcus Rashford’s cushioned volley struck the crossbar as the final action of a first half that was disappointing for both teams.
Chelsea almost had a dream start to the second half thanks to Pedro Neto’s burst of speed, but the Portuguese winger’s shot missed the far post.
Palmer continues to be an excessive source of inspiration for the Blues.
Van Nistelrooy’s midfield pairing of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte silenced the boyhood United supporter, who started his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year.
Just Southampton had scored less than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season prior to kickoff.
Ten Hag frequently lamented the lack of effectiveness in front of goal, and this time it was evident.
With a tame effort that looped into Sanchez’s arms, Garnacho squandered a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back.
Rasmus Hojlund was clipped inside the box by Robert Sanchez, giving United the opportunity to end the standoff.
Fernandes maintained his composure to send the Spanish international custodian reeling and cause Van Nistelrooy to celebrate wildly.
The excitement for United was short-lived, as Chelsea responded in just four minutes.
Only a corner was cleared to the box’s edge, where Caicedo fired into the bottom corner with a sweet strike.
Moments later, Chelsea should have scored again when Andre Onana was left stranded after substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over.
In a hectic finish, United came closest when Garnacho’s acrobatic attempt narrowly missed.