By Dave Marshall
Spanish international Alvaro Morata was the difference for the Blues as the Chelsea striker condemned us to our second defeat of the season. Prior to this game, many had predicted a United win after a horror display at Rome on Tuesday, but, reverse was the case as the Blues brought their A-Game to the field and were too strong for the Red Devils to handle.
It could have been a nightmare start for us after Phil Jones mistakenly put the ball in his own net in the seventh minute, but the goal was disallowed by the referee Anthony Taylor having believed the defender was pushed by Alvaro Morata. The hunger and desire shown by the champions couldn’t be matched by the Red Devils and the Blues could have scored more than one, but, Spanish international David de Gea kept the scoreline respectable with some fantastic saves.
Jose Mourinho’s winless streak against the Premier League ‘Top Six’ away from home continues with just a goal and no win in his last ten games. His cautious approach away from home against the ‘Top Six’ has come under huge scrutiny since his second spell at Chelsea. The Portuguese tactician has already dropped four points away at Liverpool and Chelsea so far this season and will now play catch up to rivals Manchester City who sit at the top of the table comfortably with an eight point lead.
United’s defence were all over the place in the second half and paid dearly for it after Chris Smalling allowed Bakayoko to draw him out from the heart of the defence and Eric Bailly lapse in concentration gifted Alvaro Morata a free header as the striker put the ball in the back of the net in the 55th minute. Some United fans don’t seem pleased with Smalling’s performance as they vented their anger on the English international on social media.
Below is what fans have been saying about Smalling performance against Chelsea on social media platform, twitter:
Smalling shouldn't even make the.bench when Rojo is fit his disaster class is becoming consistent
— AB ATTA MUFC (@AttaAbraham) November 5, 2017
It can't be coincidence. We look shakey in most games where Smalling plays at the back. Jones turns to rat shit when he's there. #mufc
— Fan of MUFC (@Vict0rMeldrew) November 5, 2017
I'm more shocked that Smalling doesn't a penalty away in every game he plays. Constantly shirt pulling#MUFC
— Paul Bates (#MUFC) (@Paul_Bates__) November 5, 2017
If we are going to play 3 at the back Smalling is definitely not that guy who can hold it, I'm sorry but he's been bad #MUFC #IMSORRY #GGMU
— James (@jayfiz862009) November 5, 2017
Chris Smalling has no footballing intelligence. Why follow Bakayoko while leaving the CF unmarked?? #MUFC
— ThePoliticalMonk (@PulgerM) November 5, 2017
I blame Smalling #MUFC
— keane (@Keane_Sims) November 5, 2017
Couple years ago when I got smalling on the back of my shirt. Has unfortunately coincided with him forgetting how to defend #MUFC
— Daniel Way ?? (@LordWay7) November 5, 2017
English international Smalling has been decent for United so far this but wasn’t at his best against the Blues tonight. The 27-year-old has struggled for consistency and has majorly been plagued by injuries since he joined the Red Devils few years ago, but he has been decent so far this season and would be hoping his performance against the Blues was just a blip.
I think we need a coach that will play a good football for us. Just as Van Gaal did when he was in Man U.
Van Gaal’s style of play was feared by these so called big teams, he always dominates possessions.
l remembered when we played Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City, they were struggling to get hold of the ball.
l suggest we go for Van Gaal again. l am sick and tired of Mourinho’s defensive style attitude. He is too defensive concious, irrespective of the team he plays.
l so much like this saying in the game of football that says, the best form of dense is to attack.
A coah plays a vital roll on how his team plays.
That is why l never supported Van Gaal’s sack. But the the board decided otherwise.
rubbish
Jones has had some good games this season but is still to rash and goes awol at times, where was he for the chelsea goal ?