Gary Lineker hailed Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo as the ‘best player on the pitch’ after the draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United looked set to end a chaotic week on a high when Bruno Fernandes converted a 70th-minute penalty to break the deadlock in Sunday’s late kick-off.
Manchester United looked largely ineffective in the final third despite Marcus Rashford hitting the bar just before half time but were handed a golden chance to open the scoring after Robert Sanchez clumsily tripped Rasmus Hojlund.
Chelsea had been the better team overall and equalised less than five minutes later, Caicedo volleying home after a corner fell kindly to him.
The score draw leaves Manchester United 13th in the Premier League while Chelsea remain move up to fourth courtesy of Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United.
‘Chelsea probably weren’t at their scintillating best but they know what they’re doing and you’d always consider that a decent point I think,’ Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast.
‘Overall I thought Moises Caicedo was the best player on the pitch, he’s really come good of late.’
Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards agreed with Lineker’s take, adding: ”I thought Caicedo was outstanding today.
‘He’s found his confidence. It’s the Caicedo we’ve seen at Brighton now, isn’t it? He ran the midfield.
‘But there’s just a massive disconnect between Manchester United’s midfield and Rasmus Hojlund up front.
‘[New United manager] Ruben Amorim has a massive job on his hands. I thought United were there for the taking so that would be my only worry for Chelsea but it’s been a really good start to the season. The question now is can they kick on?’
Caicedo endured a surprisingly poor debut season at Stamford Bridge following a £100m move from Brighton in the summer of 2023 but looks to be back to his best form this term.
Manchester United hosted Chelsea at the end of the week in which Erik ten Hag finally lost his job.
Ruben Amorim has been appointed as United’s new manager but the Portuguese will not take over until November 11, meaning Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge for the Chelsea draw.
Van Nistelrooy will also be in the dugout for the Europa League game against PAOK on Thursday night and next weekend’s Premier League clash with Leicester City.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face Armenian side Noah in the Europa Conference League in midweek before a huge London derby against Arsenal on Sunday.
Discussing Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford, Premier League legend Alan Shearer said: ‘He’s got a big job.
‘Look at the pressing, it looks to me like that haven’t done any work on that because they don’t know when to go or stay. He’s got a lot of work to do.
‘I think they’re better than what they’ve shown, no doubt. I don’t think they’re good enough to get in top four, I think that’ll have to wait and they’ll need some major surgery before that.’
Van Nistelrooy was satisfied with Manchester United’s performance against Chelsea but admitted he was ‘slightly disappointed’ not to take all three points after taking the lead.
‘Overall it was a very good performance,’ the United legend said. ‘The players did really well and fought in every inch of the pitch. It was very good to watch that bit.
‘The chances we created, we could have scored one more to win the game. It was a shame we couldn’t. Overall I’m slightly disappointed we didn’t win.’
On his uncertain future at the club, with Amorim expected to bring in his own backroom staff, Van Nistelrooy added: ‘It’s an emotional rollercoaster – it’s been almost a full week where so many things happened.
‘My job was to steady the ship. The players reacted very well, something to build on in the next two games.
‘I came here to help the club in any capacity. After these two games that will continue and hopefully it can work out.
‘It’s special to be back in the city and at the club. I really enjoy every single minute of it.
‘I try to share the culture of the club, the culture of the town and the fans. That’s an important part. I’m glad I can share these moments and help the players understand the spirit.
‘I saw the spirit on the pitch on Wednesday and today. That’s the foundation to grow.’
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