In one of the season’s more surprising results so far, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United overcame defensive frailties and poor form to reco...
In one of the season’s more surprising results so far, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United overcame defensive frailties and poor form to record a very impressive 1-1 draw with the unbeaten Chelsea, who currently sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
It was a Chelsea side bereft of the best player, Diego Costa, whilst Manchester United had to do without both Phil Jones and Radamel Falcao, who were the latest in a long line of Manchester United players to be struck by injury thus far this term.
One of the main worries for United ahead of kick-off was just how the hosts were going to manage the midfield pairing of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas. Often utilised in a 4-1-4-1, those two players have characterised Chelsea’s fantastic form.
Matic, sitting just behind Fabregas, has the physical capabilities to not only provide protection by winning the ball back, but he can also cover the entire width of the midfield due to his excellent fitness levels, which for a man his size is rather unique.
At West Brom on Monday evening, Van Gaal made yet another tactical tweak by reverting to the 4-2-3-1 system which United struggled significantly with last season under David Moyes.
Once again the result and performance was similar to the Moyes era as United’s midfield couldn’t really get into the game and Robin van Persie as a lone forward became increasingly isolated and ineffective.
Van Gaal claimed that Monday’s display was United’s “best of the season”, which was certainly a worry for supporters ahead of the visit of Chelsea. However Van Gaal made yet another tweak in midfield yesterday, switching to what was essentially a 4-5-1 system with Van Persie up front.
It was a system which took you back to the 2009-2011 period under Sir Alex Ferguson when United quite often utilised a five-man-midfield away in Europe against higher quality teams.
The system worked a treat as Chelsea never really dominated United as they had other teams already this year, despite deserving a penalty in the first-half.
Eden Hazard was always a threat as you would expect but barring his fantastic run into the penalty area at the beginning of the second-half, the Belgian was shackled by good covering work from Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini and couldn’t run riot as he had against Arsenal earlier this month.
How United's midfield earned them a point against Chelsea Marouane Fellaini was fantastic against Chelsea, covering a lot of ground in midfield
The maligned Belgian, high on confidence following his wonder goal at The Hawthorns, was a really energetic presence at the heart of midfield and whilst United’s tactic of not pressing Chelsea high up the pitch suited him, he still worked hard across the line.
The five in midfield allowed United to match Chelsea man-for-man with one spare as Matic did very little outside of his own half. Whereas last season United’s two in midfield within the 4-2-3-1 would often become isolated and a problem with teams on the counter, there was no such danger yesterday.
It was a quite disciplined performance from United in a match where a draw is just about as good for morale as a victory, especially in the manner in which it came. Manchester United do have to kick on and start winning matches now
The weekend’s derby with Manchester City could be crucial with the Blues in a difficult moment and United flying after yesterday’s draw.
Whilst only a point was gained yesterday the knowledge that United could once again manage game situations and play an effective defensive system is all the more encouraging as the season progresses.
Source: Metro Sports
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