Scorer: Giroud (45’ +11), Mount (46’) Maguire[OG] (73’); Bruno Fernandes (P, 85’)
Assist: Azpeliceuta
1.Chelsea nullified United as Giroud the pivot point.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea came with a plan to nullify high flying United who came on the back of a 19 game unbeaten run. Matching Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 3-4-1-2 with a 3-4-3, Chelsea played with a high pressing and high positioning set up to pressure and put most of the players in a 2v1 situation as United look to build up from the back.
The game started off pretty cagey as both teams understandably played it safe and tried to feel each other out. Chelsea keeping United mostly on the back foot for most of the opening half hour as United players struggled to get the chance to make a turn and find each other. Eric Bailly looked suspect in defence, Fred and Matic struggled to find players and move the ball forward. Bruno Fernandes looked jaded. The 2 most dangerous chances came from chelsea’s Mount and James both attempting long shots that seriously tested De Gea in goal, especially the latter’s shot. Bruno fernandes’s free kick and subsequent corner kick were the only real threat United presented.
A clash of heads on the 40 min mark spelt trouble for United as for the second time in the game, Bailly clashed his head with another person, this time with his captain Harry Maguire. Bailly came off the worst of the two in what looked like a very serious injury. Martial came on for Bailly and United changed to their more familiar 4-3-3.
Moments later, a quick one-two on the right hand side of Chelsea’s attack between Azpilicueta and Willian created an opportunity for the former to get behind Williams and give a low ball into the box that the impressive Oliver Giroud flick on home after ghosting away from Lindelof. De Gea got a weak hand to it as it bounced off his hand then his foot before trickling into the back of the net.
Chelsea added quickly in the second half when Willian’s bad pass was intercepted by Mount, who drove at the heart of United’s defence who were backing off and took a low drive from outside the box and easily beat De Gea at the near post to make it two. Their third goal came from a clearance which Giroud headed back into Mount, spots Alonso on his left and again a low cross into the box that this time Harry Maguire poked past his keeper, again, at his near post. With the game wrapped up, Chelsea managed the game well and only a consolation penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes that troubled them. Its easy to forget that this Chelsea side are on a transfer ban and a testament to what Frank Lampark has done to mould this team with his plans.
2. United have a best XI, but lack quality in depth in midfield.
With an eye on the league game, OGS decided to shuffle his team with Pogba, Martial and Greenwood rested. But it is this difference that really shows the difference in quality between a United that were on the unbeaten run and sustaining it with different players. Fred could not create the passes from deep, whilst Dan James is one dimensional in his play. This changes, on top of Lampard’s plan for United, ensured that there was no supply from midfield to attack and isolated key players from connecting the play. United could not transition well from defence to attack and all their attempts seemed to be played through Bruno Fernandes. Could OGS have used the craftier but slower Mata and allow for Bruno to play in Pogba’s position? Or maybe Ighalo as a pivot for Dan James and Rashford to play with whilst Fred sits alongside Matic and be his legs while Bruno plays in the No.10 role? This are all questions for OGS to answer as he must not only try to secure top 4 in the coming 6 days. But be able to give his players rest for an expected Europa League final. The run that United have been on has been rightly credited to him – but his credentials as a top class manager is about to scrutinized. In the summer United need to purchase players in many positions, namely: Centre back, Defensive mid and a creative midfielder to give Pogba and Bruno a chance to rest.
3. United’s goalkeeping dilemma.
De Gea’s recent performances is putting OGS in a very tight spot. Beaten at the near post all 3 times today as well as against Southampton is not a mistake that can be forgotten or looked past. Reliable and herculean almost in the last 5 years, it might seem like De Gea has already peaked at United. Just what has happened to the impenetrable keeper is anyone’s guess. Ever since his world cup escapade, he has not looked the same and his well-earned credit can only keep up as United’s no.1 for so long.
With the impressive Dean Henderson already touted as the rightful no.1, OGS needs to decide if he sees De Gea as being part of United’s future or decide to cash in on a player who might have already peaked, even if traditionally keepers get better with age. As one of United’s biggest wage earners, he has to put in better performances before his wages might bring discord to a team filled with talented youngsters who are putting in better shifts than he is.
A manager has to make tough decisions and it is his former gaffer, Sir Alex Ferguson, who seemed to have a knack at selling players just before their decline and it remains to be seen if OGS has picked that up. De Gea’s time as a Manchester United keeper might unfortunately already be up.
Written by: Bazli
