Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory of their first Premier League sport since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Previous Trafford.
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will probably be changed by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in entrance from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.
Caicedo shortly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on aim completely different into fourth.
Some extent leaves United nonetheless down in thirteenth, six factors off the highest 4.
Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take cost of Sporting Lisbon for the one of many closing instances in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League on Tuesday.
United had been way more aggressive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at house this season, however confirmed most of the similar flaws that price Ten Hag his job.
Van Nistelrooy loved a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in cost to achieve the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.
Nonetheless a hero among the many United followers from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s identify was chanted in a buoyant pre-match environment.
Nonetheless, a Chelsea aspect which have misplaced as soon as in 9 Premier League video games, supplied a a lot stiffer take a look at for a United aspect nonetheless brief on confidence.
Noni Madueke got here closest to opening the scoring for Chelsea within the first-half when he headed Cole Palmer’s nook off the publish.
It took United time to search out their ft as an attacking pressure however they had been unlucky to not go in entrance simply earlier than half-time.
Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley within the final motion of a disappointing first 45 minutes from either side.
Pedro Neto’s burst of tempo practically gave Chelsea a dream begin to the second interval however the Portuguese winger’s shot flew simply previous the far publish.
The Blues stay overly reliant on Palmer for inspiration.
The boyhood United fan, who started his profession at Manchester Metropolis earlier than becoming a member of Chelsea final 12 months, was saved quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.
Earlier than kick-off solely Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League targets in 9 video games this season.
The dearth of effectivity in entrance of aim that Ten Hag typically bemoaned was in proof once more.
Garnacho wasted an excellent likelihood to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Sanchez.
United had been gifted the prospect to interrupt the impasse when Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund contained in the field.
Fernandes saved his cool to ship the Spanish worldwide goalkeeper the flawed means and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.
United’s pleasure was short-lived as Chelsea hit again inside 4 minutes.
A nook was solely cleared to the sting of the field, the place Caicedo linked a candy strike to fireside into the underside nook.
Chelsea ought to have struck once more moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.
It was United who got here closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew simply over.
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