BEVERLY HILLS, October 24, (THEWILL) – Manchester United’s home struggles are still a worry after a dour goalless draw against Chelsea in an underwhelming English Premier League clash at a rainy Old Trafford.
The best first half chances went to the Man U duo of English forward Marcus Rashford and Spaniard Juan Mata but neither man was able to get the better of Edouard Mendy, Chelsea’s new Senegalese keeper. Mata’s attempt came after defender Harry Maguire was contentiously spared a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta, the Spanish right back for Chelsea.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then sent in Edinson Cavani before the hour mark. With his first touch, the 33-year-old striker, who was signed as a free agent on deadline day, almost scored for United but his flick of a Shaw cross clipped the side netting then went wide.
Neither side was able to find a winner, with Chelsea sitting sixth in the table and United 15th, separated by two just points.
After a sluggish opening half an hour, the highlight of which was Mendy almost registering an own goal in the score sheet, the game finally came to life in the final 10 minutes of the opening period.
Mendy recovered from his earlier error by using his foot to keep out a low drive from Rashford, before springing to his right to push a curling attempt from Mata behind.
Chelsea’s Brazilian centre back Thiago Silva was fortunate to go unpunished for clipping Rashford in the area in the 41st minute.
Mason Greenwood returned for United as a late substitute and Mendy produced another stunning save to deny Rashford, who produced the first and only shot on target of the second half in stoppage time.
This draw means the Red Devils are without a win in five league games at Old Trafford, entering the record books as their their worst such run since February 1990.
On Chelsea’s side, Mendy has provided greater resilience than the Blues had when Kepa Arrizabalaga was in goal, with two impressive saves in the first half and one at the death. The Senegalese still needs time to improve with his feet, though, to avoid a repeat of his near mishap.
Chelsea will travel to Russia to face Krasnodar in the Champions League on Wednesday for their next encounter while United welcome last season’s semi-finalists RB Leipzig to Old Trafford.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
