Chelsea absolutely dominated the match at Old Trafford on Thursday, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike in the 62nd minute pulled United back even 1-1 to salvage a point. Marcos Alonso found the back of the net for Chelsea in the 60th minute.
Chelsea won the possession battle 65-35, with 21 total shots and 6 on goal; United had six shots total, with three on goal.
Ronaldo has now scored United’s last five goals.
Chelsea snapped an away winning streak at eight matches with Thursday’s draw.
“We were fortunate in the first half, needed some great saves from David and last ditch tackles,” United manager Ralf Rangnick said. “In the second half we we better, showed a good reaction to that goal with an amazing assist by Nemanja and great finish by Ronaldo. In the last 20 minutes it was an open game. They could have scored when James hit the post but we also had our moments.”
Ronaldo scored his first Premier League goal against Chelsea; he has faced them 12 times in his career in the PL.
“It should have been more,” Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said. “There’s only one team who deserves to win and that’s us but we didn’t take it. It’s our responsibility to win a game like this when we dominate in all areas of the match. We were not clinical enough, lacked a bit of determination in the box to win this game.”
Chelsea have not won against United in their last nine Premier League matchups, ending in a draw 6 times and losing three times.
“We worked so hard to get the lead and created so many chances and suddenly the opponent gets one free shot and scores,” Tuchel added. “We worked so hard to get the lead and created so many chances and suddenly the opponent gets one free shot and scores.”
Alonso’s goal recorded his second-career goal at Old Trafford, both coincidentally coming on 28th of April.
United trail Arsenal by five points, still trying to reach the top-four for a Champions League berth. Just two wins in their last 11 matches.
Manchester United will host Brentford on Monday, 2 May. Chelsea will be away at Everton on Sunday, 1 May.
