The highly anticipated clash between Chelsea and Manchester United was billed as a potential showcase of United`s ongoing struggles. However, the match delivered unexpected drama and entertainment from the outset, though not in the way many predicted. Manchester United ultimately secured a 2-1 victory, a result that, surprisingly, was perhaps the least remarkable aspect of a chaotic encounter. Nevertheless, the win bought manager Ruben Amorim more time in his role.
Saturday`s game will primarily be remembered for its sheer unpredictability and a series of bizarre incidents. The drama began early when Chelsea`s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, received a red card in the fifth minute for a challenge on Benjamin Sesko. This incident allowed United to take a commanding 2-0 lead by the 37th minute, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. Adding to Chelsea`s woes, Cole Palmer had to be substituted due to a suspected groin injury between United`s goals. Yet, United`s advantage was short-lived; Casemiro was shown a second yellow card just before halftime, evening the playing field to 10 men per side for the entire second half. This action-packed first half promised a thrilling and competitive second period.
Regrettably, neither manager, Ruben Amorim nor Enzo Maresca, seemed to share this sentiment.
Despite the unfolding drama, both managers made surprisingly cautious decisions, which ultimately stifled the game`s momentum. Chelsea`s manager, Maresca, quickly reacted to the red card, bringing on goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen for Sanchez. However, his subsequent tactical choices were unconventional: he replaced both wide attackers, Estevao and Pedro Neto (with Tosin Adarabioyo entering for Neto in the seventh minute), seemingly prioritizing defensive solidity.
Maresca`s overly pragmatic approach quickly proved ineffective. United dominated the first half, outshooting Chelsea nine to three and scoring two goals without conceding a single shot on target. While being a man down and losing Palmer naturally hampered Chelsea, their defense appeared disorganized for both goals. By the 37th minute, when Casemiro netted United`s second, the game already seemed beyond Chelsea`s grasp, especially after three forced substitutions.
Casemiro`s red card for a foul on Andrey Santos just before halftime offered Chelsea a glimmer of hope for the second half, evening the numerical disadvantage, even if their setup remained defensive. With Santos and Joao Pedro, Chelsea still had potential attacking options against a United defense known for its fragility, now without the extra man`s cover.
Unfortunately, neither manager seized the opportunity, and the second half devolved into a tedious affair. Chelsea, despite enjoying 71.2% possession and seemingly controlling the game, struggled to create chances. Maresca`s early, aggressive substitutions proved costly, as his team managed only three shots in the entire second half. These efforts were sparse and lacked quality; Adarabioyo registered Chelsea`s first shot of the half in the 63rd minute, and they waited until the 80th minute for their next, a goal from Trevoh Chalobah that briefly hinted at a resurgence. Santos added another shot in stoppage time, but overall, Chelsea`s three shots amounted to a mere 0.34 expected goals.
While Amorim might celebrate an unexpected victory, United`s performance did little to alleviate concerns about his long-term suitability for the manager`s role. United significantly benefited from playing against ten men for an entire half. However, when both teams were numerically equal, the Red Devils failed to impress. Despite a surprising rise in the Premier League`s attacking statistics, United`s second-half display was notably worse than Chelsea`s, registering only two shots and 0.31 expected goals. They once again relied on fortune, as Chelsea`s inability to capitalize meant United`s often-vulnerable defense went largely untested after the interval.
Even though Amorim retains his position for now, it is Maresca`s Chelsea that faces renewed scrutiny regarding their season`s start. While Saturday`s conditions were unusual, Chelsea`s offense has been inconsistent across six games this season, with their non-penalty expected goals tally falling below two in all but one match. Without Palmer, who previously scored only four goals in 36 appearances before his recent breakthrough, the situation could be even more concerning, potentially making the Club World Cup winners a surprising candidate for England`s most underwhelming team this season.
