Four things we learned as Man United’s downward slide continues with 2-0 defeat to Chelsea

Manchester United travelled to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 31 October, desperately in search of a win. The Red Devils arrived at the game 16th in the Premier League table after eight games, with just one victory to their name.

Michael Carrick’s team were winless in the last eight games in all competitions and had lost three of their five games in October. The Blues, on the other hand, were sitting fifth in the league table, but arrived at the game on the back of consecutive defeats against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

United, as such, had the opportunity to take advantage of the London giants’ poor run. Carrick made three changes to the team that had lost 3-0 to Bournemouth last weekend, with Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Lisandro Martinez replacing Youri Tielemans, Mason Mount and Ayden Heaven.

Unfortunately, Lisandro Martinez picked up a red card as the Red Devils suffered a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer securing all three points for the Blues. Here are the four things we learned from the game.

1. United look better without Youri Tielemans

Tielemans, who recently revealed that Carrick played a key role in his arrival at Old Trafford this summer, had started all 12 games across competitions this season ahead of this weekend’s game. However, the English manager opted to drop the 29-year-old to the bench and it soon proved to be the correct decision.

Tielemans has been a shadow of his former self this season and, in his presence, United’s build-up play has been slow. Carrick has deployed the Belgian in the No. 10 role as well as in midfield, but he has struggled to replicate the performances that prompted United to prise him away from Aston Villa this summer.

Against Chelsea, the Red Devils hardly missed the Belgian, suggesting that he is not indispensable to the team. However, United still very much looked like a team better suited to counter-attacking football, despite investing over £150 million in revamping their midfield this summer.

2. United desperately need a new striker

United created three big chances in the first half alone, but failed to score a goal. The Red Devils are the only team in the Premier League who have failed to score a goal in the opening 30 minutes of a game. Fernandes, Mbeumo and Amad were all guilty of squandering opportunities, with the Red Devils missing a focal point in attack.

With Benjamin Sesko injured and Joshua Zirkzee failing to convince Carrick, Mbeumo has been deputising in the No. 9 position for a while. But the Cameroonian does not have the presence that United need in the opposition box.

The Red Devils could benefit from someone with the ability to shield the ball and bring runners like Mbeumo, Amad and Cunha into the game. A striker with goalscoring instincts could really help this team hit a higher gear, and regardless of Sesko’s injury, INEOS must invest in a new No. 9 in January.

Leny Yoro showed promise in a new position

Leny Yoro started at right-back position for the fourth consecutive Premier League game and did not look out of place. The Frenchman is naturally a centre-back but has been deployed in an unconventional role owing to the lack of options in the team.

Diogo Dalot has had to operate in the left-back role due to Luke Shaw’s injury, but the Portuguese may no longer be the first choice for the right-back position. Against Chelsea, Yoro regularly bombed forward in overlapping runs, and joined the attack.

The young defender appears to have honed his attacking instincts and is fast becoming indispensable to the team. Yoro’s recovery pace and defensive instincts also make him a vital presence in the backline. Despite the defeat, the Frenchman can leave Stamford Bridge with his head held high.

4. United struggle to keep a clean sheet

United kept Chelsea at bay for the first half and generally looked solid at the back. However, the visitors’ backline collapsed like a pack of cards after the break, conceding two goals that should have been prevented.

The Red Devils are now without a clean sheet in nine games in the Premier League and have managed just one clean sheet in all competitions. They have conceded 15 times in the league, with only Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace letting in more.

Lammens, who looked impregnable at times last season, has endured a dip in form too, but questions will once again be asked of United’s backline after this defeat. Sir Alex Ferguson famously said that “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” and it is an irony that the Red Devils’ prolonged defensive woes have shown no signs of improvement.

Featured image by Alex Pantling via Getty Images