Man United 1-1 Chelsea, Tactical Analysis: Breaking Down Old Trafford stalemate

The clash between Manchester United and Chelsea unfolded as a turbulent spectacle, with neither side able to seize control in a match marked by frenetic moments and unpredictable turns. Ultimately, the contest settled into a hard-fought 1-1 draw, leaving both sides with plenty to reflect on.

Chelsea came into this game with a point to prove. After a disappointing EFL Cup exit mid-week against Newcastle United, the Blues were desperate to bounce back with a positive result at Old Trafford. Manchester United, meanwhile, had just undergone a managerial change, with Ruud van Nistelrooy taking over as interim boss. His arrival injected some much-needed energy into the Reds, as they looked to capitalize on the home advantage and build momentum under new leadership.

Despite the chaotic nature of the match, it ended in a 1-1 draw. The Pride of London will dive into the tactical details that shaped the game.

Manchester United’s Hybrid Press

In the settled first build-up phases, Chelsea adopted a 3-2 shape (excluding goalkeeper Robert Sánchez). Manchester United initially tried to match this with a front five, but they frequently dropped into a more passive 4-2-4 shape. Up front, Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes sat on Chelsea’s double pivot of Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia, while occasionally jumping onto center-back Levi Colwill to disrupt the Blues’ passing lanes.

The Reds deployed a hybrid press, fluctuating between zonal and man-to-man approaches depending on the situation. This allowed United’s defensive midfielders, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, to press Chelsea’s No. 8s— Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer—but it left vulnerabilities. As seen in previous matches, United’s defensive midfield can be stretched if they follow their markers too closely, conceding space between the lines.

When the visitors built from goal kicks, United pressed with similar principles, often leaving one fewer player in the frontline press to maintain a +1 advantage in the backline. This provided them with more protection against Chelsea’s forward runners, a tactic similar to what Liverpool employed in their recent match against the Blues. However, van Nistelrooy's side were less willing to press as high and intensely as their Merseyside counterparts.