Football React | Chelsea fans analyse Old Trafford defeat

Manchester United 2 - 1 Chelsea

We have been catching up with Chelsea fans who have been thinking about their performance against Man United at Old Trafford.

Author | Lewis W

View from the away end

Dave: Another costly error from Robert Sanchez followed by some questionable substitutions from Enzo Maresca. If Cole Palmer was not fully fit, why not withdraw him first? At least we might have retained some attacking threat. Lincoln City will fancy their chances. in the Carabao Cup.

Christopher: If you cannot beat a struggling side like Manchester United, you know you are in trouble. Sanchez once again left us exposed, and then Maresca chose to sacrifice arguably our most creative player in Estevao Willian after the red card. The defence was a shambles in the opening 20 minutes and did not improve much thereafter. Reece James looks a shadow of his former self. Chelsea are in a difficult place right now with a manager who seems bereft of ideas when it matters.

Jonathan: Reece James is far from the player he once was, and Chelsea as a whole are struggling under a manager who seems uncertain when the team faces pressure.

A rainy Old Trafford

Timothy: Strange decisions all round. The goalkeeper situation worsened by the manager’s panicked response. A lack of authority and maturity was clear to see. Too much emphasis on structure, not enough on nous.

Nevan: Awful. Slow and devoid of creativity except for a touch of desperation near the end. United were there to be beaten and we looked clueless.

Lauren W: Maresca eventually adjusted his tactics into a more attacking shape for the final 25 to 30 minutes, and it was another set piece that provided the breakthrough, with Trevoh Chalobah heading in. Unfortunately, the comeback fell short in the closing 10 minutes.