Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men played out a stalemate against Chelsea in West London with the Red Devils now 12 points off the leaders. After the draw in the capital the Blues will be more disappointed with the result, now one point off the top four.
Manchester United started the game on the front foot pressing in abundance, looking to stay solid at the back in tangent with Luke Shaw making a good block on the line in the second half. Marcus Rashford's early free kick which was parried away by Edouard Mendy was the centre of controversy after his initial free kick found its way into the path of opposing players Mason Greenwood and Callum Hudson Odoi.
After a VAR check it was deemed as though Hudson Odoi had handled the ball, but the onfield decision stood in Chelsea's favour causing for frustration from Solskjaer in his post match press conference with Sky Sports. United grew into the game having the best chance of the game in stoppage time with Scott McTominay breaking dangerously, but tentative in the final third, the story of the game during the Red Devils 90 minutes.
Chelsea did have their own chances after Hudson Odoi and Cesar Azpilicueta combined on the right hand side, only for the handball culprit to fire wide failing to test David De Gea in goal. The 20 year old was instrumental all game whipping in his fair few enticing crosses but Chelsea couldn't break the deadlock.
Solskjaer’s thoughts:
Following the 0-0 draw, the United boss spoke to the press and gave his thoughts on the 90 minutes.
-
The Norwegian gave his reaction to the penalty decision:
"One hundred percent it was a penalty. If that's a natural position for a hand to be in when the ball comes in then I must be blind. I can't understand why the penalty was given. Especially when he stops it and walks over to watch it. From pitch side you can see its a handball but you think its our player who does it. "
-
He was disappointed to not have taken all three points:
"We wanted to win. Apart from the last quality or pass not being good enough, we had great passing, desire, work-rate. There was a great save by David De Gea and we got the clean sheet. That's what let us down, that quality on the ball. The first half was scrappy. Poor game really. But then we played some good stuff at times. When we settled we created a few chances but we didn't have enough. It was a good block by Luke Shaw. That's what you do when there is a goal to be saved, you put your body on the line. I thought we were excellent defensively."
-
On outside influences in the game:
"Its all these outside influences. Even the VAR talk before the game on Harry Maguire. That's cheeky when Chelsea put that on their website. That's influencing the referees. We've seen was it Frank Lampard who started it? There's loads of talk about us getting penalties when there is no doubt whatsoever and now of course we should have had a penalty. That's as clear as it is."
Looking forward
Man United have Crystal Palace up next in midweek at Selhurst Park in the Premier League, with the heavyweight top of the table clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday in the league.