THE MAN in the technical area might have changed but Manchester United’s inability to hold onto a lead continues.

Ahead from Bruno Fernandes’ penalty on 70 minutes, it took just four more before Chelsea were level through Moises Caicedo.

 

Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge of his first Premier League game

 

Bruno Fernandes fired Man Utd ahead with a second-half penalty

 

Moises Caicedo crashed in a brilliant volleyed equaliser just minutes later

The fact honours were even was probably about right

Where United are at the minute it seemed like a decent result for interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy who saw no lack of effort from his players.

A good performance, without being anything remarkable, which you might say is a step up from Erik ten Hag’s final games.

While there were no goals in the first period you couldn’t take your eyes off the pitch.

That final bit of quality was lacking but the intensity from both sides certainly was not.

Van Nistelrooy’s first Premier League game in charge certainly seemed to bring more energy out the players than recent ones under the departed Dutchman.

Captain Fernandes in particular looked up for it constantly demanding the ball.

It would be Chelsea who had the early chances, however.

When Caicedo nicked the ball off Manuel Ugarte he fed Cole Palmer whose shot was blocked by the sliding Matthijs de Ligt.

From the resulting corner, Noni Madueke’s near post header hit the post.

Then when United tried to play it out from the back, which always sets nerves jangling at Old Trafford, Nicolas Jackson got in ahead of Casemiro but sent the ball over the top.

Marcus Rashford started to get hold of the ball and go on his trademark runs down the flank.

If incoming boss Ruben Amorim can rediscover Rashforfd’s very best form there is still some player there.

When he got to the byline on 21 minutes his cross was blocked by the outstretched leg of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Fernandes put the follow-up wide.

There was a slick United move when Rasmus Hojlund went charging down the wing and squared the ball across the top of the box.

Rashford stepped over it to give Alejandro Garnacho the chance but he fired the ball too near to the goalkeeper and it was easily saved.

When Ugarte was fouled on the edge of the box referee Robert Jones was a bit too quick with his whistle as the ball broke to Hojlund.

Then in the final seconds of the first half United nearly snatched the lead.

It was a great crossfield ball from Fernandes to find Rashford on the far side of the box who met it sweetly on the volley rattling the angle of the goal.

Marcus Rashford came closest in the second half, smashing a volley off the crossbar

After the break, it was the Chelsea fans who had celebration cries cut short when they thought they had the lead.

Palmer, who looked the most comfortable player on the ball, spread it out wide to Pedro Neto and his cross-shot went inches wide of the far post.

It was end to end as United responded.

Rashford received a corner on the edge of the box but shot straight at the ‘keeper.

When Diogo Dalot played a ball down the flank Fernandes cut it back for Garnacho who scuffed his shot.

Then came the penalty.

It was Casemiro who spotted Hojlund’s run and played an inch perfect pass over the top of Wesley Fofana onto his toe.

Hojlund touched he ball past Sanchez and was tripped by the Chelsea goalkeeper’s outstretched arm.

The VAR backed up the referee’s decision and Fernandes stepped up to send Sanchez the wrong way.

Old Trafford roared and their captain raced to the corner flag, sliding on his knees and getting back to his feet as he was engulfed by his teammates.

The home fans buoyant but that would last just four minutes before Chelsea equalised.

Palmer’s corner was headed only to the edge of the box by Casemiro where Caicedo was waiting to return a low volley into the bottom corner.

After a mistake by De Ligt gave Jackson the opportunity to pass the ball back to replacement Enzo Fernandez, the visitors should have taken the lead two minutes later, but Jackson blasted over with the goal at his mercy.

The greatest opportunity was squandered before the finish by Fernandes’ reckless volley over the bar into the Stretford finish for United.

Although Martinez merely received a ticket for scraping his studs down Palmer’s calf, there would be a late brawl.

The United supporters did not cheer or jeer at the conclusion. Oh well, it was just a little.