(Football news) Manchester United secured a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford in a predictable subpar performance while the dominant Blues weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. Kai Havertz missed three good chances in the first half but also played an important role in Marcos Alonso’s opening goal at the hour mark. However, Cristiano Ronaldo punished the visitors just two minutes later from Nemanja Matic’s lofted ball, controlling it brilliantly before smashing it into the back of the net.

The result meant that Manchester United can now equal their worst ever Premier League points tally, which was a meagre 64 points in the 2013/2014 season and now trail fourth place Arsenal by 5 points despite having played two games more. As for Chelsea, their unbeaten away win record came to an end but the Blues only need seven points from their remaining five games to qualify for the Champions League next season. 

Speaking after the match, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said “It should have been more. There's only one team who deserves to win and that's us but we didn't take it. It's our responsibility to win a game like this when we dominate in all areas of the match. We were not clinical enough, and lacked a bit of determination in the box to win this game. 

“We worked so hard to get the lead and created so many chances and suddenly the opponent gets one free shot and scores. We found the space on the right and took advantage. I think Reece played a very good match, Mason was a little unlucky in his decisions and could have been more precise in the first half to score and assist. But we were very good in our patterns."

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said “We were fortunate in the first half, needing some great saves from David and last ditch tackles. In the second half we were better, and showed a good reaction to that goal with an amazing assist by Nemanja and great finish by Ronaldo. In the last 20 minutes it was an open game. They could have scored when James hit the post but we also had our moments.

“Overall we had to admit we were fortunate to get that point but the reaction in the second half was good. They played with their almost best starting XI and we had a few players missing. We have our problems in defending and getting hold of the ball, winning the ball. We are just not compact, aggressive enough in some of those moments and this shows up against the top teams like Chelsea, Liverpool or Man City."

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