Just as we predicted, and as pretty much everybody expected, Manchester United and Chelsea played to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford today. Juan Mata had a shot that hit the cross bar and Anthony Martial had a shot that the post. With 30 points, United remain in 6th. Chelsea is now 14th, with 20 points.
Nemanja Matic had three shots and Thibaut Courtois recorded his first clean sheet of the season.
On the United side, Bastian Schweinsteiger had three shots and David de Gea had three saves. Cesc Fabregas did not travel to Manchester with the rest of the Chelsea squad because of an injury. So those are the facts and the nitty gritty nuggets of information, but here are four larger concepts emerging from this game:
1. Chelsea might be the bigger soap opera right now than Manchester United
The Blues are fighting for their lives to stay in the safety zone. United are still in the running for a top four finish. So we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. All the drama and excessive media coverage has surrounded Old Trafford lately, but it’s at Stamford Bridge where the real trouble is.
2. David de Gea continues to be transcendent
He’s carrying the weight of United’s world on his shoulders. This isn’t so much anything we “learned” today, as it is something we already knew to begin with. De Gea broke Twitter today with what might be his best save of the year. Here’s footage of his stopping John Terry’s shot attempt.
3. Reports of Louis van Gaal’s demise have been greatly exaggerated
Van Gaal said that he wants to stay, and that there is no reason for his sacking. He appeared much more relaxed today in postgame. He seems to be back to his former self, and he believes that he has the backing of the board to keep him in place. Here’s more on what he had to say.
4. The Back pages were much ado about nothing
The Telegraph:
-Jose Mourinho is resisting former club Real Madrid as he waits to see how the situation will develop at Manchester United and elsewhere in Europe.
So again, “The Special One waiting in the wings” narrative continues.
Daily Express:
-Louis van Gaal will resign if Manchester United fail to beat Chelsea on Monday.
Well, today was a draw, so we’re waiting for this big news to break any minute now
Daily Mirror
-Louis van Gaal’s time at Manchester United is up – the only question is who replaces him.
-Jose Mourinho wants to manage England if Roy Hodgson steps down after Euro 2016.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
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