Manchester United and Chelsea faced each other at Old Trafford in a huge match in the Premier League. Manchester United, who had not been defeated in their last 10 matches against Chelsea, continued this streak in this match and emerged victorious with a score of 4-1. With this score, Manchester United qualified to play in the Champions League next year, right before the last match-week. Chelsea, on the other hand, continued their unsuccessful run this season and suffered another defeat. The starting 11s of the two teams in the huge match were as follows:
chelsea IN POSSESSION
Chelsea had more possession throughout the match, especially in the second half. This was because Manchester United didn't really press high, but when they did press high, it was their striker Martial (or Rashford later in the game) leading the pressure. When Chelsea moved the ball into the midfield, the centre-backs positioned themselves in the middle, while the full-backs positioned themselves widely on the wings. Enzo Fernandes stayed close to the defence and helped during the build-up. Manchester United usually started to apply pressure in the middle third and in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Eriksen, a player part of the duo playing as defensive midfielders, moved alongside Bruno fernandes and the 4-2-3-1 formation turned into a 4-1-4-1 formation. In this formation, Martial applied pressure on the centre-backs, Bruno Fernandes on Enzo Fernandes and Eriksen on Chukwuemeka. With this formation, the "Red Devils" covered the midfield and directed their opponent towards the wings. Throughout the majority of the match, Chelsea directed the ball to Madueke, who provided width on the right flank, and he found his way into scoring opportunities. On the left, Hall provided width. Chelsea directed the ball to these two players providing width on the wings after they had penetrated the defence on several occasions. These players would then play the ball to Havertz and Gallagher in the center, but they were unable to capitalize on these opportunities. Havertz dropped back into midfield on several occasions during the match and retrieved the ball in the midfield. On these occasions, Manchester United centre-backs followed him into the midfield. When Chelsea moved into the final third, the home team once again used a 4-1-4-1 formation and applied pressure on their opponents in their defensive third.
During Chelsea's build-up from the back, the full-backs are positioned close together in the middle with a defensive midfielder in front of them. The full-backs, Azpilicueta and Hall, are positioned wide on the flanks
Here, when Fofana receives the ball, Rashford moves between the two centre-backs, cuts off Fofana's passing lane with Chalobah and directs Fofana to the wing. On the wing, Garnacho is ready to apply pressure on the ball
Manchester United don't apply intense pressure on Chelsea up high and meet them in a 4-1-4-1 formation further down in the midfield. Casemiro covers Gallagher at the back, while his teammate Lindelöf follows Havertz, who is dropping deep into the midfield, preventing him from receiving the ball easily
The 4-1-4-1 formation that Manchester United also use in their defensive third. With this formation, Manchester United keep the space between the lines extremely small and prevent the Chelsea players from receiving the ball in the middle. This naturally directs the Chelsea players to the wings. For example, Madueke, who is positioned at the right end, positions himself wide and asks for the ball
Here, Hall, who is is behind the defence, carries the ball and passes to Mudryk, but Mudryk fails to convert a clear opportunity into a goal
Madueke notices the space left behind by Sancho and Luke Shaw, makes a run there and receives the ball on the wing for a cross into the penalty area
manchester united in possession
Throughout the match, Manchester United managed to score both through fast counter-attacks and set plays. The hosts built-up their attacks from the goal kick, with the centre-backs positioned in the middle and the full-backs positioned wide, with Eriksen or Casemiro dropping deep to receive the ball. In the early minutes of the game Antony was on the right and Sancho on the left, providing width. But when Antony got injured and had to come off, Rashford moved to the left and Sancho was tasked with providing width on the right. Manchester United left the possession of the ball to Chelsea, especially in the second half, and tried to be effective with counter attacks. Taking advantage of the speed and dribbling ability of both Sancho and Rashford, the Manchester team could not take advantage of many attacks because they could not successfully make the final passes or bury the final shots. Chelsea applied pressure on Manchester United with a 4-4-2 formation. Gallagher would move from midfield and position himself next to Havertz and the two would apply pressure on the centre-backs. At the same time, another task bestowed upon the duo was to prevent Casemiro, who frequently dropped deep, from receiving the ball. To do this, the player applying pressure on the ball would also apply cover shadow on Casemiro. When applying cover shadow was not possible, a centre-back was left free and either Havertz or Gallagher would apply pressure Casemiro. In this scenario, the pressing system resembled a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The 4-4-2 formation seen immediately after Chelsea's kick-off. Gallagher shifts next to Havertz, with the wingers positioned next to the midfielders.
Chelsea's 4-4-2 formation that appears again. The forward duo cover the centre-backs, while the wingers next to the midfielders cover the opposition full-backs. The defensive 4 is responsible for the Manchester United players going forward.
Up high, the duo consisting of Gallagher and Havertz apply pressure on the duo consisting of Lindelöf and Varane, but they never take their eyes off Casemiro, who is dropping deep, and the player who is pressing the ball also applies cover shadow on Casemiro
In the continuation of the situation, Gallagher continues to apply pressure on Varane, while Havertz drops back and stays close to Casemiro, preventing him from receiving the ball. At the same time Mudryk is ready to press if the ball comes to Wan-Bissaka
In this situation in the second-half, when the ball comes to Varane, Gallagher moves between the two centre-backs and cuts off Varane's passing lane to Lindelöf. Casemiro is covered by Joao Felix and Varane is forced to direct the ball out to the wing. Pulisic is ready to apply pressure on Wan-Bissaka when he receives the ball. Thus, a formation that resembles a 4-2-3-1 structure emerges.
CONCLUSION
Although Manchester United left the stadium with a decisive 4-1 win, both teams struggled to convert their chances and couldn't take advantage of many scoring opportunities. However, Manchester United took the lead with a goal in the opening minutes and used their wingers effectively to get the 3 points. Erik Ten Hag got another win, Chelsea, failing to capitalize on their chances. lost another game under Lampard.
