A late, looping Casemiro header earned Manchester United a well-deserved point, in a game where the Reds will be disappointed they didn’t make more of their first-half dominance.
The task was daunting.
Take the game to an in-form Chelsea, in front of a hostile home crowd under the Stamford Bridge lights.
But taking the game to Chelsea is exactly what United did in the first half. We created big chances and were sharper, faster, better on the ball, better in possession and stronger in the challenge. Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Dalot, Eriksen, Fernandes – there were good performances all over the pitch.
But in a fixture that has produced only four goals in the last four meetings, you simply have to take your chances.
Rashford and Antony were guilty of wasting the biggest ones – if hadn’t been for poor finishing and an excellent goalkeeping display by Kepa Arrizabalaga, United could have been 3-0 up at half time.
It was one of those games where you feared that United would rue those missed opportunities.
Graham Potter made an astute tactical switch towards the end of the first half, bringing on Kovacic for Cucurella to bolster the midfield, and Chelsea came back into the game in the second half without creating many clear-cut chances.
A softish McTominay foul led to a Jorginho penalty on 87 minutes, and it looked like a Chelsea smash-and-grab, which would have been so harsh on United.
However, the Reds showed great spirit, and a Luke Shaw cross was met by the outstanding Casemiro in the 95th minute; the ball creeping over the line by millimetres and given by goal-line technology.
There was real passion on display in the scenes of delirium that followed in the away corner, as the players and travelling fans came together to celebrate the point the performance fully deserved.
Erik ten Hag was pleased with the team spirit and the performance in the first half, but thought the second half performance could have been better:
“We did well to collect the point, it was a well-deserved point. First half we dictated the game, we created three really good chances. We lost control a bit before half-time, but in the second half we were organised [again].
“We didn’t make the right decisions on the ball second half, and if we showed more composure and patience we would have created more chances. But we didn’t concede big chances, and that was a good thing and I think a point was a fair result.
“We know [Casemiro] is capable of [bringing so much to the team], he proved it in Spain, in the Champions League at the highest level, but the Premier League is a different league. He has composure, organisation and even [scores goals] – he brings a lot to the team.
“I’m happy that we’re capable to fight back like we did. We showed resilience and that is a big thing for big teams. This is what Casemiro and others are bringing to this team.”
Ten Hag’s post-match reaction
MOTM Casemiro comes into his own
This was the performance that United fans have been longing for from the Brazilian.
Perfect positioning, aggressive tackling, an outstanding range of passing and an excellent goal – this performance had it all.
Understandably, it took Casemiro a few games to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, but he seems like he is there, and it is clear that his ceiling is higher than McTominay’s, even though Scott has been in good form.
It was great to see Casemiro and the other players celebrating with the fans at the end too – clearly the shirt means a lot to them, and these are the types of players we need and want at Manchester United.
United still need a striker
Not for the first time this season (or even this week!), United have missed good chances.
We still believe Marcus Rashford is better suited to the left wing, where a poor Jadon Sancho was substituted shortly after half-time, and a ‘proper’ number 9 needs to be signed in January. We rate Anthony Martial but he can’t be relied on fitness-wise.
Before these three league games we said United should be aiming for 7 points. They ended up with 5, but with better finishing it could have been 7 or 9.
Forget Frenki de Jong – sign a striker in January as a priority!
Varane injured again – but it might be OK
Rafael Varane came off with an as-yet unidentified injury that looked serious. The Frenchman looked distraught as he limped down the touchline, and it was clear he was fearing for his World Cup spot.
However, United only have three more league games before boxing day: West Ham at home, then Villa and Fulham away.
These are all games that United should win even without Varane. Of course, we wish Rafa the best and hope he gets fit sooner rather than later, but it might not be a disaster for United.
An easier World Cup run-in
As mentioned, United only have three league games before the World Cup: West Ham, Villa and Fulham.
We predicted 7 points out of 9 for the last three games, but we’re predicting and expecting 9 out 9 for the next three.
United’s team and season is starting to take shape. It would be brilliant to see United in fourth or third when that break happens, and Ten Hag is setting the right standards to get us there.