Chelsea denies Van Nistelrooy a United win
Moises Caicedo denied Ruud van Nistelrooy a first Premier League win as Manchester United’s interim head coach as the midfielder's goal earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
After a first half that lacked quality, the Theatre Of Dreams burst into life when Robert Sanchez hauled down Rasmus Hojlund inside the penalty area 20 minutes from time.
Bruno Fernandes, so often United’s main man under former boss Erik ten Hag, stepped up and sent the Chelsea goalkeeper the wrong way to put the hosts on course for a much-needed win.
But the Red Devils’ joy was short-lived thanks to a bolt from Chelsea blue, courtesy of the right foot of Caicedo, who sent a first-time volley into the bottom-left corner.
The draw saw Chelsea edge past Arsenal and into the top four, while United moved up one place in the table to 13th.
But Blues boss Enzo Maresca felt United should have been reduced to 10 men after Lisandro Martinez's late tackle on Cole Palmer, with referee Robert Jones showing the defender a yellow card after a VAR review.
"I think it is quite clear for all of us, but the referee took a different decision," Maresca said. "When you don’t go for the ball and just the man, it is a red. There is no intention to take the ball and it is dangerous."
Nevertheless, the Italian was pleased with the way his players dealt with facing United, which was overseen by interim boss van Nistelrooy in its first league game since ten Hag's dismissal.
While new coach Ruben Amorim's impending arrival at Old Trafford brought positivity back to Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy was unable to stop United's faltering start to the season.
With just 12 points won, this is the Red Devils' worst return after 10 games of a league campaign since 1986-1987 (eight).
Van Nistelrooy revealed he has not spoken to the incoming boss and it remains to be seen whether he will remain at Old Trafford once Amorim arrives.
"Over the coming days we will be in communication, and I am waiting for that," Van Nistelrooy said.
"What is more important is that we are in training tomorrow and prepare for the game on Thursday. I haven’t spoken to him [Amorim] yet, but it will happen.
“You saw today that we competed well against a very good side. This is the way forward for this group of players."
The Red Devils' total of nine goals is its fewest at this stage of a league campaign since 1973-1974, also nine, but Van Nistelrooy was happy with the display.
“I am disappointed we didn’t win, we had the better of the chances in the game. But overall the performance was fantastic. They left their all out there on the pitch," he added.
“It was a great moment, the goal, when Old Trafford explodes. Bruno Fernandes did well taking it and the emotion came out.
"This week has been special, I have enjoyed every second of it. I am here to help and will get behind the new manager and make sure the club grows.
“We are behind the new manager, everyone at the new club is focusing on the two games that are very important, but then we will work hard to make this club better every day."
