Manchester United faced Chelsea at Old Trafford this Sunday in what was only the second meeting between Louis Van Gaal and his once-assistant at Barcelona, Jose Mourinho. There was a warm welcome from the duo in the tunnel, pre-match. However as soon as the whistle was blown, it was down to business as they both set out to defeat each other.
Chelsea were forced to emit prolific striker Diego Costa from the starting lineup and the bench due to illness. With Loic Remy injured, Jose Mourinho had to opt for Didier Drogba. The rest of the team remained unchanged. United had faced similar problems in the hours leading up to the match with Radamel Falcao and Phil Jones leaving it late to pull out through injuries. That meant Robin Van Persie would be the sole striker. Marouane Fellaini earned himself a starting position after his performance - West Brom last Monday, while Chris Smalling was given the task of filling in Jones' shoes.
As the match kicked off, many thought it would be one Chelsea attack after another, and ultimately, goals galore. However, it was United who had the stronger start. Chelsea had one proper chance during the entire half when a Drogba shot was fantastically saved by David De Gea. At the other end, Adnan Januzaj had let Van Persie through on goal down the left, only for the Dutchman to choose to shoot right at Courtios rather than look up and center to Juan Mata who would've had an empty goal to score into. Chelsea had a penalty claim as the first half neared an end when Chris Smalling brought down Ivanovic during a Chelsea costless kick. Phil Dowd made nothing of it.
The second half started in much of the same way the first one ended. United were comfortable on the ball and were keeping Chelsea out. That was, however, until they succumbed around the 52nd minute when Eden Hazard was through on goal. His shot was magnificently saved by De Gea, however the following corner proved crucial when Drogba was able to meet the cross and head it in for his first Premier League goal back in Chelsea colours. United were staring down the barrel and had seemed to look depleted.
Chelsea were very disciplined and allowed United very little space. The only method of attack United had was down the wings, which eventually paid off. In the very dying seconds of the game, Di Maria was brought down by Ivanovic on the left flank, which led to Ivanovic getting his marching orders following a second yellow card. The resulting costless-kick was whipped in by Di Maria and headed goal-ward by Fellaini, which was parried away by Courtios, only to fall right in the path of Van Persie, who smashed the ball into the back of the net and earned United their well-deserved draw in what was the last kick of the game.
United can take many positives from this match. They were on par with what has been the best team of the season so far in terms of result, and arguably the better performers. United were defensively solid for the majority of the match bar a few edgy moments, and seemed very calm on the ball going forward. Time, along with players returning from injuries, can only mean better things to come for United. The -Never say never- attitude seemed to be back at the Theatre of Dreams today, and back in force. That can only mean business for Louis Van Gaal, and will motivate the team even further as they face a potentially even more challenging visit to the Etihad to face their local neighbours in what promises to be an exciting match in a week's time.