Thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United avoid the worst against Chelsea (1-1)

The Red Devils slowly reassert themselves and remain in the race for Europe. After two consecutive league defeats, Manchester United’s players raised their heads with a happy draw with Chelsea on Thursday in the advance game for the 37th (1-1).

The somewhat clumsy Blues eventually dominated the match, and the Manconunians were initially able to count on excellent David de Gea. Marcos Alonso ended up finding the foul (60) but Cristiano Ronaldo hit it right back (62nd). Chelsea consolidates its third position, Manchester United remains in sixth place but returns to three lengths of Tottenham, the fifth which has two games less as Arsenal, and the fourth at 5 points.

De Gea resists

If the Manconianans keep their chances in the European positions, it is clear that they have said goodbye to the upcoming Champions League after this result. Their coach, Ralf Rangnick, had announced before the meeting that this goal was now out of reach because it relied solely on poor performances by Arsenal and Tottenham. The German technician also had to deal with a series of injuries to this shock. Countryman Thomas Tuchel managed to play of the eleventh type and the Blues choked their opponents in the first quarter of the hour.

While the restless Timo Werner created gaps and Mason Mount took charge of the match, the hyper-active Rhys James warmed up De Gea’s gloves with a powerful shot from 20 meters (5th). Manchester United entered the match with a slightly soft header from Bruno Fernandes (10) and scissors from Ronaldo (14). However, these two attempts did not hide the collective flaws of the Red Devils, and Chelsea remained clearly superior. N’Golo Kante (19th) and then Kai Havertz (28th, 36th) again in De Gea’s impeccable first-period request.

Ronaldo Realism

The meeting resumed in the same tone with lively, accessible and inspiring blues music. The visitors settled the situation logically with a cross from James, Havertz extended it with a header and took perfect control to the left of the truth zone by Alonso (0-1, 60).

But the Spaniard barely had time to celebrate his third goal of the season in the league. Manchester United surprisingly found a way to equalize when Nemanja Matic regained the ball in front of Kante to give it to CR7 who sent it under Edward Mendy’s bar with a powerful cross kick (1-1, 62). The Portuguese has now scored 101 goals in the Premier League, including 17 this season.

Chelsea moved forward and Tuchel fired Romelu Lukaku to give more strength to his attack (70). But it was still James, skillfully served by Mount, who finally sent suspense by sending his pivotal shot over De Gea’s right post, completely surprised (80th). With 21 of 6 shots on target, Chelsea spared no effort but failed to snatch their first league win at Old Trafford in nine years. After setbacks for Liverpool (4-0) and Arsenal (3-1), Manchester United are in a better position this time.