Manchester United were held by Chelsea 0-0 at the Bridge as we see the Red Devils dropping points yet again to stay second in the league table.
EPL: Chelsea draw against Manchester United 0-0, settle for a point each
The thought of United mounting a title challenge is all but gone. It is fair to say, Manchester United’s hopes of winning the League title will continue to elude them until they solve their problems especially against the traditional top-six.
United have achieved just five points from their fixtures against the top-six sides this season. All five points have come through 0-0 draws against Chelsea at home, Manchester City at home, Liverpool away, Arsenal away and yesterday’s away game at Chelsea.
After a mauling earlier in the season against Jose’s Tottenham 1-6, United do not seemed to have learnt from this loss.
It is not just the draws that frustrate the faithful but it is the lack of goals and being bereft of ideas during such contests that cannot be taken lying down.
Roy Keane in the post-match analysis said yesterday that Manchester United are not trying to beat their oppositions rather they are trying to avoid being beaten by them. This is a point that needs serious consideration.
The attitude against their top-six traditional rivals is about playing safe, yet United being 2nd in the points table shows how differently weird this season has turned out to be.
Playing safe is becoming Manchester United’s DNA during big matches . The hunger, desire, lackadaisical behaviour is on show and it does not paint a pretty picture.
United’s top scorer this season, Bruno Fernandes has also cut a frustrated figure during these matches and has only scored one goal against the top sides this season, a penalty in he 1-6 home defeat to Tottenham.
The Portuguese has to be doing so much better to help his new team progress to greater heights. We can cut him some slack to an extent due to the stellar season that he is having.
The inability of the other teammates to mount a challenge and make a difference is also lacking in this United team. Mctominay, Martial, Rashford are not able to use their creativity and make their moments.
The lack of confidence by Ole in the summer signing, Van De Beek, who keeps getting sporadic appearances in cup ties and in the Premier League is another negative aspect.
Van De Beek has not been given many opportunities to show his creativity after the stellar seasons he had earlier at Ajax. It is during such matches, where masterstrokes and tactical calling needs to be addressed but Van De Beek being on the bench does not provide any hope.
These are some of the frustrations United are dealing with as they stand 12 points behind Manchester City.
At the weekend, they play Manchester City at the Etihad and the only hope would be not to come back goalless.
