Manchester United on Sunday evening recorded a second home victory over Chelsea (Mou's off and on ex) in less than a year. It was typical of the Blues who were champions of England to take the game to United and they didn't disappoint as Alvaro Morata rattled the woodwork in the 5th minute. Willian then started and finished off a sweeping counter attack in the 32nd minute.
Mourinho's red devils actually looked toothless in the first thirty minutes of the encounter with much credits going Alexis Sanchez for that. During the opening exchanges against a big rival United were anything but threatening.
The Comeback
Manchester United's big Belgian Romelu Lukaku managed to get behind Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen for a typical no.9 finish after a beautiful interplay between Martial six minutes before the break. Lukaku had clearly moved on from the reverse tie in November where he failed to have a touch of the ball in the opposition half. The former Everton marksman could have added more gloss to his performance on the day with a half volley but Thibaut Courtois' fingertip save made sure the scores remained even.
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JLings came on for Anthony Martial in the 64th minute to help United complete a rare comeback
Scorer Lukaku turned provider in the 75th minute when he 'danced' two Chelsea defenders to provide a cross which
Messi Jesse Lingard nodded home from close range. The red devils held on to seal the victory with an improved second half, but that victory came with more questions than answers for Manchester United.. .
A Misfiring Sanchez
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Sanchez had no impact against Chelsea
Aside Sanchez's cross for Lukaku's half-volley in the second half, the Chilean was largely anonymous in a game that was his biggest yet as a Manchester United player. Mourinho might be questioning his own decision to sign the two-time South American champion. Sanchez's arrival was supposed to herald 'a new beginning' for the 2013 Champions however the Manchester club have seen their form drop in the league. Sanchez's impact has been close to nothing and once again the signing has not gone Manchester United's way.
No Attacking Appetite
It is very clear that Jose Mourinho has fashioned his team for predominantly defensive approaches and it is saddening for the football world to see Manchester United play with such lack of belief. Anthony Martial before his substitution was not a threat though he assisted Lukaku in bagging the equalizer. A club like Manchester United should approach games with pride and with attacking mindset which was missing for large parts of the game.
