Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea AS IT HAPPENED: David de Gea error gifts Chelsea top-four advantage

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA | MATA (11), ALONSO (43)

Manchester United XI: de Gea, Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw, Ander Herrera, Matic, Pogba, Mata, Lukaku, Rashford

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Higuain, Hazard

United’s three-game run without a goal was ended 11 minutes into the clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford as Juan Mata scored on his 31st birthday but another goalkeeping error allowed Marcos Alonso to equalise two minutes before half-time and the game ended 1-1.

Antonio Rudiger’s speculative 35-yard shot was Chelsea’s first effort on target and it should have been comfortable for De Gea but the Spaniard spilled the ball at Alonso’s feet and he guided it in off the far post.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had given a firm rebuttal on Friday to suggestions he could take De Gea out of the firing line after a costly mistake against Manchester City on Wednesday and he will be faced with the same question again.

The draw means United remain three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with only two games to go and with a substantially inferior goal difference.

• Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante are both fit to start for Chelsea

• Juan Mata opens the scoring from close range

• David de gea spills Rudiger shot, Alonso converts

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA

FT: And mercifully it comes to a close. Chelsea grab a point at Old Trafford to put them in the driving seat for a top-four finish. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be pleased to have stopped the rot – but I think that point ensures United will be playing Europa league football next season.

96: Higuain is ONSIDE! Goodness me! He’s one-on-one with David de Gea… saved. It’s an acute angle and the Argentine can’t squeeze it past.

95: Romelu Lukaku and Gonzalo Higuain are both caught offside in the space of 30 seconds. I’ll be staggered if these sides could score another in seven hours – let alone seven minutes of injury time.

94: Here comes Gonzalo Higuain, on the counter… I think you know how that story goes. He’s only got to prod it through to the unmarked Eden Hazard in the middle but simply doesn’t have the legs.

92: Off the line! Nearly a dramatic winner at the death. Scott McTominay does well to win the corner and Pedro does even better to clear Marcos Rojo’s bullet header off the line. Massive chance.

90: Block! Heck of a block from Scott McTominay, who stops an almost certain goal from Eden Hazard. RLC squares it for the Belgian inside the box but he’s foiled.

Huge roar as the fourth official signals for seven minutes of added time.

89: As things stand Manchester United will remain in sixth with 65 points – three behind Chelsea in fourth. That means they’ll need to win their two remaining fixtures to stand a chance of a top-four finish.

88: Anything to report? Nope. Oh that’s a lie actually. N’Golo Kante slipped it wide for Pedro, who thumped it high, high, high into the stands.

85: Such a terrible game that Gary Neville and Martin Tyler have started discussing the word ‘shenanigans.’ Neville likes it and Tyler agrees. Gripping stuff.

Pedro replaces Willian, who still looks in pain after that terrible Marcos Rojo challenge.

83: This is just dross. Absolute dross. Wayward passing, no creativity and fouls every few seconds. Not an enjoyable experience for anyone.

Scott McTominay replaces Juan Mata.

80: Naughty! Good to see Marcos Rojo hasn’t lost an ounce of recklessness. First he flies through the back of Gonzalo Higuain before nearly breaking Willian’s ankle. He’s only booked. Shocking decision.

79: Gonzalo Higuain strays offside for the 9000th time today. Alexis Sanchez then prods the ball straight out of play. This has been a dismal half of football.

77: And finally we see Ruben Loftus-Cheek arrive. He’s on for Mateo Kovacic, who keeps his terrible return rate going. Two assists in 30 Premier League appearances this season.

74: Willian eventually steps up… over without testing David de Gea. Maurizio Sarri and the Chelsea staff will be going crazy with how little the Manchester United stopper has had to deal with in this half.

72: It’ll be a while before this set-piece is taken because Bailly really is in trouble. The stretcher is being rushed on as Marcos Rojo enters the fray. The centre-back eventually hobbles off aided by two United members of staff.

69: Ouch! Not good news for Manchester United as Eric Bailly goes down injured. He looks in serious pain actually as the medical staff arrive.

He brought down after Mateo Kovacic after a brilliant run, and the Blues have a free-kick in a dangerous position. Just right of centre, 25 yards out…

67: Cometh the hour, cometh… Alexis Sanchez?! If you say so, Ole. The Chilean, fully equipped with a moustache, replaces Marcus Rashford.

65: Antonio Rudiger has only just returned from injury but he’s tweaked something and will have to come off. Andreas Christensen replaces him. Neville is annoyed with the Dane for taking an eternity to warm up.

63: It’s all got very frantic and tetchy here at Old Trafford. Neither side is capable of keeping the ball for more than a few seconds or creating a clear-cut chance. I think I can see Ruben Loftus-Cheek gearing up to enter the fray. Indeed I do, but he’s back down because Rudiger is hurt. 

60: We’ve reached the hour-mark and everything is still up for grabs. Fully expected Chelsea to be shooting from absolutely everywhere to take advantage of De Gea – but they haven’t tested him once.

57: Is Maurizio Sarri seriously going to sign Gonzalo Higuain on a permanent basis? He’s done absolutely nothing today. In fact, he’s been more of a hinderance when failing to hold the ball up.

Mateo Kovacic is booked for kicking the ball away. He actually scooped it away but I’m afraid that’s exactly the same thing, buddy boy!

54: Neither side has really got going yet. Lots of huff and puff in midfield but not a great deal of quality in the final third. Willian is booked for… well he actually won the ball from Juan Mata. Bit harsh.

51: Danger! The Red Devils have themselves a free-kick in a central position about 20-yards from goal. Marcus Rashford pulls rank and sets the ball down but the awkward, dipping effort is gathered by Kepa.

48: It’s Kepa Arrizabalaga’s turn to make a minor mistake when hoofing the ball straight out of play on the far side. He’s invited pressure on his colleagues – but Eden Hazard of all people is there to clear.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA

45: And we’re back underway folks. Quite emotional scenes before the break as the Manchester United supporters sang David de Gea’s name as he walked into the tunnel. Good show of support and more than deserved after his years of consistency if you ask me.

No changes at the break for either side.

Sloppy…

HT: David de Gea has made three errors leading to goals in his last four games in all competitions for Manchester United – as many as in his previous 123 matches combined for the Red Devils.

Twitter round-up

Simon: Information needed on whereabouts of United goalkeeper David de Gea. The guy in goal currently is clearly a celebrity lookalike.

Miri: Marcus Rashford is like a kid on the ground these days. He doesn’t apply his head to the game, runs on all cylinders for a while and as soon as he loses the ball doesn’t want to do the dirty work. He needs some talking.

Josh: The amount of fickle De Gea critics is astonishing. By far and away the most consistent player at the club since he signed. I for one will not turn on an absolutely incredible servant to the club.

Robbie Savage…

HT: Typically sympathetic from BBC pundit Robbie Savage.

“David de Gea, what are you doing?” he said. “I’m not being funny, that is ridiculous. One of the best goalkeepers in the world? I could do better.

It’s a straight-forward shot, it’s straight at de Gea and he parries it, credit to Alonso who follows it in, but what is happening? I could stop that.”

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA

HT: Cracking match – just a shame to see David de Gea in the headlines again for all the wrong reasons. The ‘keeper gifts Chelsea a lifeline before the break and we’re nicely poised for a massive second half.

45: Two minutes added time at Old Trafford.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA | ALONSO

43: Painful. It’s another painful however from David de Gea, who is completely drained of confidence and gifts Chelsea their equaliser.

The Spaniard spills Antonio Rudiger’s long-range effort and Marcos Alonso reacts quickest to convert the rebound with a clever chip.

You hate to see this happen – but I think DDG needs to be given the remainder of the season off.

40: Still no shots on target for Maurizio Sarri’s side.

37: Now what’s happened here. Nemanja Matic quite clearly elbows Cesar Azpilicueta in the face. Perhaps it wasn’t intentional but he certainly connected. Referee Martin Atkinson completely ignores it and United continue playing.

They continue until Ashley Young spots Marcus Rashford on the deck.

34: Bosh! Romelu Lukaku and Cesar Azpilicueta go shoulder-to-shoulder on the byline… goes who won? The Belgian knocks Azpi for six before cutting the ball through the area. No red shirt to apply the finish.

Oh, and Azpilicueta goes crashing into Manchester United’s photographer.

31: Ashley Young’s corner is flicked narrowly wide by Eric Bailly. The momentum has swung back in United’s favour now.

Incidentally, Gary Neville let out a little chuckle watching Romelu Lukaku absolutely blowing after his run forward. Hands on hips, big gulps of air from the Manchester United striker.

28: Romelu Lukaku is irresistible when he’s in the mood. It’s a shame he’s not in the mood more often. He embarks on a 30-yard run forward before slipping Marcus Rashford through. He wins a corner.

The ball is whipped in and Antonio Rudiger’s clearing header hits the back of David Luiz’s head inside the six-yard box. It’s just about hacked clear.

25: More sustained Chelsea pressure with the lightest sprinkling of Manchester United on the counter. Maurizio Sarri’s side are dominating the ball but haven’t forced David de Gea into action.

23: He’s certainly no Paul Scholes. Chelsea try a corner routine by floating the ball out to the unmarked Jorginho, who promptly scuffs his 30-yard volley wide of the target. It’s been a decent response from the visitors – they’ve created more than a handful of chances already today.

20: Willian whips a corner into the Manchester United penalty area but Romelu Lukaku is there to clear. The loose ball falls to Jorginho, who rifles it over and into the stands.

17: A burst of pace from Eden Hazard and he’s brought down 25 yards from goal. Alonso steps up to take the resulting free-kick… poor. The Spaniard sends his effort over the crossbar.

15: Commentator Martin Tyler took great enjoyment in repeating how much Chelsea influence was involved in the Manchester United opener. Lukaku, Mata and Shaw (formerly of the Blues’ academy) all involved.

Gary Neville hastened to add that he’d never seen a more vigorous celebration from Romelu Lukaku, who wildly gestured for more noise from supporters. Looks motivated does the Belgian.

13: Juan Mata is the third Manchester United player to score a Premier League goal on his birthday, after Wayne Rooney (vs Arsenal in 2004) and Anthony Martial (vs Arsenal in 2018).

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 CHELSEA | JUAN MATA

11: GOAL! Manchester United have taken the lead at Old Trafford – and it’s the former Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata with the goal.

Luke Shaw overlaps Cesar Azpilicueta and cuts the ball back into the penalty area, where Mata is waiting to convert from 10-yards out.

Not sure where this Manchester United have been in the last nine weeks. Serious intent being shown today.

10: N’Golo Kante drives forward 40 yards before over-hitting the ball and losing possession. No sign of the game settling down yet as United take it straight down Chelsea’s end.

9: Nice passage of play from the hosts. Best I’ve seen in weeks, actually. Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Luke Shaw combined quickly with the defender eventually delivering a low cross into the penalty area. Cesar Azpilicueta is there to bring it forward.

7: What a wonderfully frantic start. None of this possession-based tika-taka stuff – It’s all out blood and war!

5: Route one football from Manchester United. The ball is sent forward by Luke Shaw to Romelu Lukaku, who spins Antonio Rudiger before scuffing his effort to Kepa Arrizabalaga.

3: Close! Whoosh, there’s no messing around here! Chelsea are straight on the front-foot putting a few decent passages together that almost culminated in a goal for N’Golo Kante. Eden Hazard beats one… two… three before squaring the ball to the Frenchman, whose flicks it blocked by Luke Shaw.

MANCHESTER UNITED 0-0 CHELSEA

1: And we’re underway folks. Gary Neville has labelled this as last chance saloon for a lot of Manchester United players. Others think it could be the end of the road for Maurizio Sarri. Could be more than a top-four finish at stake…

Prediction…

16:28: I’m going to sit firmly on the fence with my prediction.

I have a worrying feeling that the match won’t live up to the hype. Both sides to scared to lose rather than desperate to let the handbrake off and win.

Five-minute klaxon

16:25: Nearly underway at Old Trafford. Fred the Red, Manchester United’s mascot, is doing his best to get the atmosphere pumping. However, it’s mostly the visiting Chelsea fans that can be heard.

More interesting than that (not difficult) the entire United squad are at the match today – and stayed together in the hotel last night. That isn’t the norm – but Ole’s given it a go!

Twitter round-up

Gary: Our biggest game of the season and Maurizio Sarri plays the ineffective and hopeless Matteo Kovacic… I could bet my life he won’t score or assist today just like all season!

Andre: Ashley Young walks into the starting XI once again after being total s*** for weeks now. David De Gea will be at the mercy of the Chelsea attackers.

Paul: Fully expecting Eden Hazard to have one of his handful games where’s he’s a worldy and United chase him around the pitch!

Big changes

16:15: Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes FIVE changes to the team that lost the Manchester derby in midweek.

There was a rare, and slightly random, start for Eric Bailly in defence, while Ander Herrera returned from a hamstring injury and Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic also feature.

Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard and Fred were all absent from the matchday squad.

Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante are both fit to start in a Chelsea side featuring four changes from their draw with Burnley.

Marcos Alonso, Mateo Kovacic and Willian also come in.

Starting XI…

16:10: And here are the line-ups. I was busy covering the intense yet somehow dull clash between Manchester City and Burnley, where Sergio Aguero’s winner was 29.5mm over the line. Insert ‘fine margins’ cliche here…

Manchester United XI: de Gea, Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw, Ander Herrera, Matic, Pogba, Mata, Lukaku, Rashford.

Subs: Sanchez, Martial, Andreas Pereira, Rojo, Romero, Darmian, McTominay.

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Higuain, Hazard.

Subs: Barkley, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Caballero, Giroud, Zappacosta, Christensen.

Afternoon

16:05: Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League.

Tottenham lose, Arsenal lose and now it’s time for either Manchester United to capitalise in their stuttering quest for a top-four finish.

With the honeymoon period well and truly over, United’s new boss will be itching for any kind of victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford.

A win would prove a huge shot in the arm in their Champions League qualification bid. But more than that, a victory now would quell some of the growing talk against the Norwegian, whose side have lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions.

Already there are questions as to whether United made a mistake in handing him the permanent job. Solskjaer continues too to insist Paul Pogba will be a United player next term, and a happy one at that, amid plenty of conjecture the Frenchman still wants out in the summer.

The deeper problems will take longer to soothe, but a sticking-plaster victory this weekend would at least tend to the wound.

MANCHESTER UNITED vs CHELSEA – TEAM NEWS

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger should shake off his knee injury in time. N’Golo Kante remains a doubt due to a rib injury suffered in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, while Callum Hudson-Odoi is a long-term absentee after Achilles surgery.

Ander Herrera could return for Manchester United after missing the last six games with a hamstring injury. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed goalkeeper David De Gea will keep his place despite poor recent form. Midfielder Scott McTominay missed Wednesday’s derby defeat after failing a fitness test and is again a doubt along with defender Phil Jones.

Last season: Man Utd 2 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 1 Man Utd 0

Last five league matches: Man Utd W L W L L; Chelsea W W W L D

Top scorers (all competitions): Paul Pogba (Man Utd) 16; Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 19

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)