{"id":107324,"date":"2025-05-16T21:43:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T21:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/107324\/"},"modified":"2025-05-16T21:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T21:43:15","slug":"five-things-learned-as-manchester-united-lose-1-0-against-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/107324\/","title":{"rendered":"Five things learned as Manchester United lose 1-0 against Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first half went a lot better than expected, considering Manchester United went into the game with nothing but pride to play for, with the main focus being on the Europa League final on Wednesday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manchester United<\/a> thought they had opened the scoring after 16 minutes when Harry Maguire\u2019s<\/a> half-volley hit the back of the net, but the centre-back had his goal overruled for offside following a VAR intervention.<\/p>\n

The first replay indicated Maguire had strayed marginally offside, but take nothing away from the finish from a sublime cross by Bruno Fernandes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chelsea grew into the game before the break and were unlucky not to score after Reece James hit the woodwork from distance.<\/p>\n

Both teams enjoyed spells in the second half but Chelsea opened the scoring after 71 minutes when Marc Cucurella headed past Andre Onana<\/a> from close range.<\/p>\n

Chelsea\u2019s win helps keep them in the hunt for a Champions League<\/a> spot.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto by Shaun Botterill\/Getty ImagesRasmus Hojlund\u2019s form is a major concern<\/p>\n

During the first half, I began to wonder what Rasmus Hojlund<\/a> offers to the team anymore. What arguments can be put forward to suggest he has a future at United? The answer is few.<\/p>\n

Without wanting to pile on the 22-year-old, he doesn\u2019t move and can\u2019t hold up the ball. The most important missing ingredient is the goals. It wasn\u2019t a surprise to see Fernandes have a go at Hojlund at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n

The sooner United sign a new striker, the better, but hopefully, Hojlund can turn things around against Tottenham in the Europa League<\/a> final.<\/p>\n

It looked like he was inventing new ways to lose possession against Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Victor Lindelof playing his way into the final line-up<\/p>\n

United defended strongly against Chelsea for the most part, although Noussair Mazraoui<\/a> will be disappointed with himself for letting Cucurella get a free header in on goal.<\/p>\n

Maguire was unlucky not to have a goal in the first half, but he led from the back as fans have come to expect. He was joined by two top performers in United\u2019s defence as Victor Lindelof<\/a> and Luke Shaw<\/a> hardly put a foot wrong.<\/p>\n

\n

Victor Lindel\u00f6f’s half by numbers vs. Chelsea:<\/p>\n

100% duels won
100% tackles won
97% pass accuracy
37 passes attempted
36 passes completed
2 clearances
1 block<\/p>\n

Do you start him in the Europa League final? \ud83e\uddd0 pic.twitter.com\/I86WVOo5to<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

It raises suspicion that Lindelof may have played his way into the line-up for the Europa League final, taking advantage of United\u2019s injury situation in defence. The Swede hasn\u2019t put in many better performances for the club.<\/p>\n

Main objective achieved at Stamford Bridge<\/p>\n

The biggest worry for every United fan<\/a> tonight was getting away from Stamford Bridge without any fresh injuries.<\/p>\n

Ruben Amorim<\/a> cannot afford any new injury setbacks between now and the Europa League final.<\/p>\n

It was a relief to see Ayden Heaven<\/a> make his return from injury after coming off the bench for the first time since United beat Leicester City in March.<\/p>\n

Andre Onana did anything but settle nerves<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a mixed second season for Andre Onana and there will be lots of talk about him in the build-up to the Europa League final.<\/p>\n

In the first half, the Cameroon goalkeeper was guilty of parrying the ball directly towards a Chelsea player inside the box. He got away with it but couldn\u2019t stop Cucurella\u2019s header after 71 minutes.<\/p>\n

Onana is liable to a howler at any moment and we hope he can show his best form on Wednesday night because tonight he looked nervy.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s stopper thought Chelsea were given a penalty when he came flying out towards the ball, only for VAR to intervene and penalise the dive.<\/p>\n

Eight Premier League games without a win<\/p>\n

Manchester United suffered their 18th league defeat of the season against Chelsea, which is an abysmal record for a team that wants to be competing in the top four.<\/p>\n

To make matters worse, United are now eight games without a win in the Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Reds have one more league game to play \u2013 next week \u2013 against high-flying Aston Villa.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n