OLD TRAFFORD – The only semblance of shock was that it took an hour for territorial and possessional dominance to be reflected in the scoreline. It provoked a new wave of anti-Glazer chants from Manchester United supporters who are desperate for change but have no faith in it happening.
Two minutes later, with the green and gold smoke combining to create a muddy cloud over one end of Old Trafford, they erupted as one after Cristiano Ronaldo’s equaliser.
“Viva Ronaldo,” became the chant, mutiny postponed for at least a few minutes. When your club is performing so far below realistic expectations, you shouldn’t miss your chances to celebrate when they come.
Soon the hatred towards the ownership recommenced. It was that sort of night, where what happened on the pitch barely distracted from the wider context of the crisis off it.
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There is little to be gained from detailing the same points about Manchester United’s absence of almost anything to put your faith in, although they were on show again.
They are a Bermuda Triangle of a football team, into which reputations sink and various components go missing. They rarely seem to have bodies in attack and yet are outnumbered at the back. Bruno Fernandes was that elite creator who has provided no goals or assists for more than two months.
They drop and rest players to seek a different mood and yet the same smog pervades. They are not only desperately low on quality; they’re deeply, emphatically boring to watch too.
Eventually, you find yourself patronising supposedly megastar players for mediocre actions, praise loaded with damnation. At least Bruno ran back to help his defence (after losing the ball). At least Marcus Rashford kept running (without achieving much). At least Raphael Varane looks like he cares (for a reported £300,000 a week). They didn’t actually lose (but had hardly any of the ball, chances, or fun).
And yet United were saved from heavy ignominy by Chelsea’s own flaws. Kai Havertz has been Chelsea’s best attacker this season – with far less competition than Tuchel would have hoped for – but he squandered at least three presentable chances. Chelsea have actually been the second most efficient finishers in the Premier League; it didn’t feel that way when Havertz ruined a three-on-two break shortly after half-time. Chelsea thrashed United 1-1.
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Those Havertz misses provoked Tuchel into a furious touchline dance, spinning on the spot as if to whirl away his anger. Next to him, the opposite: Rangnick mostly spent the evening sat on the bench. When he ventured out, it was simply to stare at the pitch with the helpless expression of an aged fisherman staring at the sea he will never sail on again.
Ultimately, the draw was the most fitting result if not fitting the balance of play. Neither team could change their position in the league. Neither team would purloin new information about their strengths and weaknesses.
A football match broke out between two “Big Six” teams who are worried about the future for different reasons. Chelsea want their old owner but can’t have him. Manchester United don’t want their current owners but can’t do anything about them. Everything that happens on the pitch feels secondary to that noise.
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