Manchester United experiences its poorest league opening in nearly four decades following a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
This past week was a rollercoaster for Manchester United, culminating in a 1-1 stalemate with Chelsea and the grim announcement that the club has experienced its worst league beginning in nearly four decades.
Moises Caicedo’s sensational long-range volley salvaged a point for Chelsea, leaving United stranded on a mere 12 points — the lowest tally after ten games since the infamous 1986-87 season, according to Opta, the Premier League’s data supplier. Interesting enough, this was the same year when Alex Ferguson took charge, embarking on a journey that brought the club an astonishing 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.
Fans of United will likely cling to that history as a glimmer of hope after Erik ten Hag was dismissed this week and replaced by Ruben Amorim.
“When a manager departs, we have to shoulder some responsibility; the team’s performance reflects that,” stated United captain Bruno Fernandes on Sunday. “I had a conversation with the manager (Ten Hag) and expressed my apologies. I’m disappointed with his exit and felt I could’ve supported him better.”
Fernandes managed to put United ahead with a penalty in the 70th minute against Chelsea, as interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy aimed to secure back-to-back victories following a 5-2 triumph over Leicester in the League Cup just days earlier.
However, in a stadium filled with eager spectators, including pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, Caicedo’s strike from the edge of the box just four minutes later ensured the spoils were shared.
“I truly believe we achieved something commendable in this stadium against such a formidable opponent… we faced a setback and rallied right back,” Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said, acknowledging his team’s resilience.
Chelsea rose to fourth in the league standings, overtaking Arsenal on goal difference, while United languishes in 13th place, six points adrift and scrambling to keep pace in the Champions League qualification chase.
Earlier that day, Tottenham crushed Aston Villa 4-1.
Ten Hag was axed on Monday, but while Amorim has been appointed as his successor, he won’t officially take the reins until November 11.
Van Nistelrooy continues to guide the team in the interim and, for a moment, his management appeared straightforward.
Fernandes’ penalty had United dreaming of a win that would have brought them to within four points of the top four, only for Caicedo’s late equalizer to sour those prospects.
“I’m disheartened that we failed to secure the win; we created better chances, but overall, the lads put in a fantastic effort. They left everything on the pitch,” reflected Van Nistelrooy.
As for his future with the club once Amorim takes over, it remains uncertain. Yet he has two crucial matches—one against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League and another versus Leicester in the league—before passing the baton.
“We’re going to back him (Amorim) and do everything we can to take Manchester United where it deserves to be,” Van Nistelrooy asserted.
In other news, Tottenham obliterated Aston Villa with a resounding 4-1 victory.
Dominic Solanke emerged as a standout star, netting two goals in a mere four minutes during the second half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, turning the match on its head after Villa had initially taken the lead.
Having scored in the 75th and 79th minutes, Solanke powered Spurs to a stunning second-half performance, building on their recent win over Manchester City in the League Cup.
Morgan Rogers had given Champions League-chasing Villa the lead in the 32nd minute, but just minutes into the second half, Brennan Johnson leveled the score.
Solanke’s brace propelled Spurs to a 3-1 lead, and James Maddison added a final flourish by curling in a free kick in the dying moments of added time. Solanke now boasts five goals this season.
Following this triumph, Tottenham jumped to seventh in the league, while Villa, now in sixth, missed the opportunity to break into the top three.
In a gripping local derby, AFC Wimbledon triumphed over MK Dons with a 2-0 victory in the first round of the FA Cup, claiming bragging rights in one of English football’s most intense rivalries.
Matty Stevens and Omar Bugiel netted for Wimbledon, with both goals coming around halftime at Stadium MK, a clash that resonates deeply with fans of both clubs.
Wimbledon famously stunned the footballing world with their 1988 Cup final victory over Liverpool, which makes this clash even more significant. The original club moved to Milton Keynes in 2002 and rebranded as MK Dons, prompting a wave of disgruntled supporters to establish AFC Wimbledon.
The jubilant traveling fans of AFC Wimbledon were celebrating heartily on Sunday as their squad secured a spot in the next round of the Cup.
Wrexham, however, faced disappointment this season, falling 1-0 to Harrogate Town.
Jack Muldoon’s 24th-minute strike was enough to grant Harrogate, who plays one tier below Wrexham in English football, a memorable victory.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
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