Manchester United and Chelsea play out much-needed stalemate... for want of trying

I suppose we should have expected this. Manchester United’s previous four Premier League games this season had witnessed a total of 21 goals and zero clean sheets for either side involved. Chelsea had scored a respectable 13 goals in five matches to date, but conceded nine. 0-0. Of course it was going to be 0-0.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side came into Saturday’s game without a win in their last four home league games, having shipped nine goals in the two played this season. However, instead of building on the victories against Newcastle and PSG in the past seven days, their priority seemed very different; namely, to avoid a repeat of the defensive display that had led to the 6-1 defeat by Tottenham in their last game at Old Trafford.

Chelsea had, similarly, been experiencing defensive concerns of their own. Their opening five Premier League outings had already included two 3-3 draws, first against West Brom and then last weekend at home to Southampton. The Blues had not beaten their hosts in the league since 2017, losing both meetings last term. Edouard Mendy, who had conceded just once in four appearances since his switch to Stamford Bridge, retained his place in the starting XI, while Frank Lampard also called upon the experienced Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta at the back. Defence before attack, some might say.

The reality of how events unfolded would certainly support that statement, although to say that neither side was interested in troubling the opposition would not be wholly true.

Full backs foray forward

Solskjaer’s choice of formation implied an attacking approach. Gone was the back five he had used in February’s victory over the Blues, recently reintroduced as his side won in Paris. In most cases the lost security of the third central defender could have led to more caution from the hosts’ full backs - far from it. As shown in Fig. 1, 96 of Luke Shaw’s and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s combined 187 touches (51%) came in Chelsea’s half; against PSG, Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles managed 41 out of 92 past the halfway line (45%).

Fig. 1: Manchester United’s full backs (attacking left to right) saw plenty of possession in attacking areas. Over half of Shaw’s touches (red) were in the Chelsea half, while Wan-Bissaka (touches in orange) also pushed forward. Stats via WhoScored.

It was a similar story for the visitors, albeit with a different formation. Lampard did opt for three central defenders, granting the wing backs license to attack. Only Silva (95) recorded more touches than Ben Chilwell (94) for the west London outfit; half of the latter’s came across the halfway line. On the other flank, Reece James took 39 of his 68 touches (57%) in opposition territory.

However, this was not the only effect of Lampard’s system, as the extra man prevented United’s forwards from exploiting any potential space. This was particularly true of James, who was able to plug any gaps that his opposition namesake Daniel might have otherwise sprinted toward. Chelsea’s James and Chilwell each won four tackles during the game, the joint-highest tally in the match along with Shaw.

Lack of creativity for both Manchester United and Chelsea

In midfield, Donny van de Beek was left waiting for his first Premier League start, instead taking his place on the bench alongside Paul Pogba while Fred and Scott McTominay were chosen to support Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata. Would the Dutchman’s runs into the area have caused Chelsea problems? Given the amount of possession the Red Devils held in wide areas, his availability for low crosses would certainly have been welcome.

Alternatively, could Pogba have offered another creative outlet? Between the eighth and 55th minute, the hosts did not record one single successful dribble. Furthermore, none of their starting midfielder or wingers managed one in the entire 90 minutes. The Frenchman’s ability to carry the ball would surely have changed that; indeed, he completed one after his introduction in the 58th minute.

The visitors’ midfield, meanwhile, comprised of N’golo Kante and Jorginho. Dependable? Certainly. Exciting? Certainly not. As a result, the onus was on Kai Havertz to unpick the hosts’ defence in the centre of the pitch. However, he was unable to be involved in the thick of the action. Chilwell did pick out the German midway through the first half, but his through ball to compatriot Timo Werner was over-hit. Shortly after half time he had the opportunity to play in Christian Pulisic, only this time the pass lacked pace and was intercepted by Wan-Bissaka.

Defence comes out on top

For all the attacking impetus of both sides’ wide players, the sad reality is that the forwards failed to get involved. Marcus Rashford, deployed centrally in Anthony Martial’s absence, did not have room to stretch his legs and, when he did have clear grass ahead of him in the 35th minute, his shot was too close to Mendy. Later, in the 58th minute, Fernandes picked him out on his preferred left-hand channel; however, by the time he had cut inside, Chelsea had numbers back to snuff out and danger. The United striker lost possession on seven occasions, more than any other player in the match.

Cue Pogba and Edinson Cavani and Pogba. The Uruguayan nearly scored with his first touch in a United shirt, only to see his smart flick at the near post find the side netting. He had another chance three minutes from time, but long-time PSG teammate Silva thwarted his effort.

Lampard made changes of his own. Academy products Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount replaced Havertz and Werner with 20 minutes to play, with the former now a clearer focal point at centre forward. However, his physical prowess was more than matched by that of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf, and he was unable to meet an inviting cross in the closing stages. Both of United’s centre backs put in promising performances, although the latter was somewhat fortunate not to concede a first-half penalty for holding Azpilicueta.

Last of all, one tactic shared by both sides - defending set pieces with all ten outfield players. In a game during which space beyond the back line was at a premium, this approach withdrew any hope of a counter-attack. Could Rashford or Werner not have been stationed on the halfway line to offer some credible threat? Clearly that was not a game either manager was willing to play.

A clean sheet gained or an opportunity lost?

Of course, both Solskjaer and Lampard will be pleased with how their respective defences fared. This was the first time that United had not conceded in a league game at Old Trafford in five attempts, while Chelsea’s last clean sheet on the road had come against Tottenham last December. In that sense, the result was surely of more importance to the Blues.

However, both managers will know that this outcome was a result of the other’s cautious approach and, had either chosen a different line-up, the other may not have been so lucky. Having seen Liverpool drop points in their last two league games and Manchester City draw at West Ham earlier, this might have been an opportunity missed.

Stats via WhoScored.