Caicedo volley denies Van Nistelrooy victory as Man Utd remain 13th
Moises Caicedo scored a stunning volley as Chelsea hit back in style to earn a merited 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
With Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge for his first Premier League match as interim United coach ahead of new manager Ruben Amorim’s arrival next week, his players scrapped hard against the visiting side.
And they thought they had secured the three points when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty on 70 minutes after Rasmus Hojlund was clumsily felled by visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
But Caicedo came up with a fabulous first goal of the season four minutes later when he thumped the ball low into the net after Casemiro could only partially head clear a corner.
Chelsea remain without a league win at Old Trafford since 2013, but Enzo Maresca’s men move above London rivals Arsenal into fourth spot on goal difference on 18 points with United remaining in 13th spot on 12 points after 10 matches.
Talking Point: United show mettle to earn a point
On too many occasions under former manager Erik ten Hag, United flattered to deceive, but they should take heart from their willingness to scrap it out here for a deserved point in a match that was never a classic.
Indeed, it was the first time United have taken a point off a traditional ‘big six’ opponent since April.
With a bit more luck, they could have battled their way to a landmark win, but they will feel happier with the outcome from a fixture that has produced 27 draws from 65 matches, the most in Premier League history.
Player of the Match: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
A stunning equalising goal from the young Ecuadorian midfielder, who produced a tireless performance in the engine room with a spate of tackles and interceptions. And also denied United the chance of a late winner deep in added time with a superb piece of covering work.
Player Ratings
Manchester United: Onana 7, Mazraoui7, Dalot 6, De Ligt 6, Martinez 7, Casemiro 7, Ugarte 6, Rashford 7, Fernandes 7, Garnacho 6, Hojlund 6 Subs: Lindelof 6, Amad 6, Zirkzee 6
Chelsea: Sanchez 6, James 7, Fofana 7, Colwill 6, Gusto 6, Caicedo 8, Lavia 6, Palmer 7, Neto 7, Madueke 7, Jackson 6 Subs: Cucurella 6, Fernandez 6, Mudryk 6
Match Highlights
14′ CHELSEA WITH PLENTY OF GUSTO Malo Gusto with a probing run off the ball into the home area, but Martinez with the block. Noni Madueke heads off the post from the corner from Palmer. So close to an opener. But United survive.
22′ BEST UNITED ATTACKING MOVE OF THE DAY Rashford with a brilliant run into the Chelsea box. Sanchez blocks the cross from the byline before Bruno fires over the bar on the rebound. Chelsea survive.
45+2′ RASHFORD WITH A STINGING VOLLEY AT THE GOAL He is so unfortunate to see the ball come back off the bar from the Bruno cross and fly over. That is the final action of the first period. It is 0-0 at the break.
67′ WHAT A CHANCE FOR UNITED But they again lack the finishing touch as Garnacho can’t get enough pace on the finish and ends up with a weak shot. Straight into the arms of Sanchez. Bruno Fernandes playing provider on that occasion.
69′ PENALTY TO UNITED! Sanchez with a late claw at the feet of Rasmus Højlund, and he didn’t get a touch on the ball. It is a penalty to the home side! VAR confirms the decision.
70′ GOAL! (FERNANDES) MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 CHELSEA Fernandes sends the ball to Sanchez’s right as the Chelsea keeper dived to his left. Bruno with his first Premier League goal of the season. United lead 1-0.
74′ GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA (CAICEDO) Moisés Caicedo with a stunning volley low into the net after Casemiro could not clear with the header from the corner. Brilliant finish. And it is 1-1. The lead lasted only four minutes for United. Game back in the mixer!
89′ GARNACHO SO CLOSE TO A DRAMATIC WINNER! What an effort that is. Drills a stunning volley inches over the bar with Sanchez beaten. Could have been a stunning winning goal.
Key Stat
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
