Premier League: Man United frustrated by Chelsea in goalless draw

Manchester United has seven points from five Premier League games this season and is in 15th place, while Chelsea is in sixth on nine points from six matches.

Published : Oct 25, 2020 01:02 IST

Edinson Cavani, making his Manchester United debut, almost scored from his first touch with a clever flick from a Fernandes cross that zipped into the side-netting.
Edinson Cavani, making his Manchester United debut, almost scored from his first touch with a clever flick from a Fernandes cross that zipped into the side-netting.
lightbox-info

Edinson Cavani, making his Manchester United debut, almost scored from his first touch with a clever flick from a Fernandes cross that zipped into the side-netting.

Manchester United remains winless at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season after it was held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Chelsea on Saturday.

United, which had lost its opening two home games of the season, has seven points from five games and is in 15th place while Chelsea is in sixth on nine points from six games.

Given both teams' defensive troubles of late -- United's last outing at Old Trafford was a 6-1 thrashing from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea's previous Premier League game ended in a 3-3 draw with Southampton -- it was perhaps understandable that both managers took a cautious approach.

READ |

Paul Pogba started on the bench for the third league game in a row for United, which was solid in midfield and at the back, where Harry Maguire returned from injury. Yet Dan James, partnering Marcus Rashford in attack, struggled and Bruno Fernandes found it difficult to create many openings.

Rashford produced the first real effort on goal in the 35th minute when he found himself in space on the right but his low drive was well saved by the out-stretched right leg of Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy. Mendy was in action again, six minutes later, as he dived to push a Juan Mata snap shot wide of the post.

Searching for a spark to bring the game alive, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought on Pogba and Edinson Cavani in the 58th minute. Uruguayan Cavani, making his United debut, almost scored from his first touch with a clever flick from a Fernandes cross that zipped into the side-netting.

Chelsea offered little threat and it was United which went the closest to a winner, in the 90th minute with Mendy at full stretch to keep out a well-struck, curling effort from Rashford.

While United will feel it should have taken the points, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta conceded his side hadn't produced enough. “I have the feeling we could have done more,” he said.

“We found spaces but we didn't create the last pass or pick the right pass or make the right decisions. We defended solid and they have at the end one save by Edouard and in the first half one mistake by us, but we could do more,” he said.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment