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What started as a much-anticipated conflict within the battle for the highest 4 ended up as a 0-0 draw that served as a 90-minute advert for why Chelsea and Manchester United are anticipated to battle for Erling Haaland’s signature this summer season.
That exact off-field battle would possibly show extra of a spectacle than this Stamford Bridge stalemate, albeit one which improved after a dour first half and is notable for an additional entry into the rising record of differing handball interpretations within the VAR period.
After 14 minutes, following an Edouard Mendy save from Marcus Rashford’s highly effective free kick, referee Stuart Attwell determined that Callum Hudson-Odoi didn’t transfer his hand towards the ball when it struck the limb whereas he was trying to clear beneath stress from Mason Greenwood.
It was a curious resolution, given the proof earlier than Attwell’s eyes, however neither facet did sufficient thereafter to create a convincing argument they need to have gained the sport; each had been maybe inhibited by a level of warning of their method, however every additionally confirmed bluntness in assault.
– Solskjaer blasts managers influencing referees
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United are the Premier League’s high aim scorers — their complete is 53 is one forward of runaway leaders Manchester City, whose title celebration planning can start in earnest now they’re 12 factors clear on the summit — however Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s facet have registered 5 goalless attracts in opposition to the standard “Massive Six” this season.
Their final aim from open play in such matches was Scott McTominay’s late strike in opposition to Man Metropolis on March 8 final yr, since when 720 minutes have handed. It signifies that, for all their attacking prowess orchestrated expertly by Bruno Fernandes, United nonetheless require a match-winning ahead who can determine video games of superb margins.
“We’re not scoring sufficient targets, that is for positive,” Solskjaer mentioned after this newest shutout. “We have come away with one other good clear sheet, however as I mentioned earlier than this sport, the following step for this group is to win these video games and rating the aim we have to get three factors.
“We have not had the standard or the superb margins or the luck, however principally in the present day it was a couple of lack of high quality within the final third. We had some moments that had been shut. Some close to moments. However we did not have sufficient in order that’s the following step for us. We are going to enhance.”
There stays hope that the answer can come from inside. It was a yr in the past this week when Solskjaer described Mason Greenwood, then 18, as being on the trail to changing into “roughly the entire No. 9” as soon as he develops right into a extra bodily imposing participant. The query is whether or not United are ready to attend.
Simply previous the half hour mark right here, Antonio Rudiger left a boot on Greenwood because the ball disappeared, not in a means worthy of great sanction, however extra the kind of deal with to intimidate {the teenager}. Greenwood took a forlorn take a look at the close by assistant referee, who gave the protest quick shrift, prompting the England worldwide to drop his head in disappointment.
Greenwood is a supreme expertise in his personal proper and went near scoring halfway by means of the second interval with a fiercely struck shot from the sting of the field, however he was not in a position to impose himself sufficiently to keep away from being changed by Anthony Martial, who possesses United’s No. 9 shirt and has been given an prolonged interval to show himself with out ever actually convincing.
Rashford possesses the standard to play by means of the center, however continues to take a look at his publish potent drifting in from the left, whereas Edinson Cavani — who missed this sport by means of damage — has had a constructive influence and, with seven targets, affected matches in his personal proper and is anticipated to remain for a second season at Previous Trafford, however he’s 34.
As such, a longer-term signing is required and Haaland, who turns 21 in July, has piqued curiosity throughout Europe. His availability this summer season might be dictated by Borussia Dortmund’s fortunes in looking for Champions League qualification, however United, Man Metropolis and Chelsea are among the many handful of groups that may afford an asking worth of as much as £150 million within the COVID-19 affected market.
The Blues spent £220m earlier than this season, however a deal for the Norway worldwide remains to be thought-about viable by proprietor Roman Abramovich; regardless of the amount of current additions, there’s a Haaland-shaped gap in Thomas Tuchel’s group.
Olivier Giroud is performing the Cavani position with larger effectivity than many count on, however this was an off day for the French striker, who was unable to get himself on the tip of a harmful Hudson-Odoi cross within the first half and solely accomplished 9 passes in United’s half total.
Giroud was substituted with 25 minutes remaining as Tuchel opted to make use of substitute Christian Pulisic as a break up striker alongside Hakim Ziyech, who himself was later changed by Timo Werner after having a superb opportunity brilliantly saved by David De Gea. Reece James, on as a half-time substitute, had a follow-up shot fantastically blocked by Luke Shaw in what proved to be Chelsea’s brightest second.
“On this highest degree, at some factors, possibly two massive probabilities need to be sufficient,” Tuchel mentioned. “For those who do not try this then we have now to be alert and conscious of the counter-attacks and high quality from Manchester United. We did this and defended very effectively. This was extraordinary effort and high quality. We take it and go on.”
Werner’s enchancment has been notable beneath Tuchel, whereas Kai Havertz has additionally been mooted as a doable possibility up entrance, however there may be appreciable distance left to journey between that duo’s present type and the tip product of a high striker in a title-winning group.
Finally, that’s the place these two sides wish to be. Bridging the rising hole to Metropolis on the summit must be the principle intention for Chelsea and United subsequent season; beating Pep Guardiola & Co. to Haaland this summer season can be an enormous step towards that.
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