- Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea highlights their struggles in maintaining leads late in games and their defensive issues, which have contributed to their record-setting performance.
- The defeat underscores the challenges faced by Manchester United in the current season, with a significant drop-off in performance from their previous seasons.
- Despite the setback, the match showcased the potential of players like Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, who were instrumental in United’s comeback efforts.
Manchester United suffered a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Chelsea, setting two unwanted records in the process. The match saw United leading 3-2 in the 10th minute of additional time, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and a late first-half equalizer from Bruno Fernandes.
However, a penalty from Cole Palmer in the 100th minute leveled the match, and Palmer completed his hat-trick with a goal just 60 seconds later, sealing Chelsea’s victory.
In addition to the defeat, Manchester United’s defense conceded over 500 shots this season, surpassing the previous record. This marks the most shots conceded in a single season and the most in a 10-game run, with 225 shots coming in 2024 alone.
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Man Utd set another unwanted record. ? pic.twitter.com/wHMZXofSUF
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 30, 2023
The defeat also set a new Premier League record for the latest instance of a team leading a fixture but ultimately suffering defeat.
Palmer’s equalizer came just over 99 minutes into the match, breaking the previous record set by Sheffield United, who lost to Tottenham Hotspur after leading in the 98th minute. This incident also made Palmer’s goal the third-latest winning goal in league history, surpassing Dejan Kulusevski’s goal at 99:53.
The match highlighted the challenges Manchester United has faced under Erik ten Hag, with the defeat and the records set contributing to a difficult season for the club. The incident with Harry Maguire being booked after the final whistle further added to the frustration, as the team continues to grapple with performance issues.
Manchester United Performance Under Erik ten Hag
Manchester United’s performance under Erik ten Hag this season has been marked by both highs and lows. Ten Hag, who took over as manager in April 2022, has faced challenges in securing a Champions League place for the next season, acknowledging that qualification will be “difficult”. The team has suffered significant setbacks, including stoppage time goals in a 1-1 draw against Brentford and a dramatic 4-3 loss at Chelsea, which have dropped five points from winning positions in just six days. These losses have left United 11 points behind Aston Villa and nine behind Tottenham, with only eight games remaining in the season.
Despite these challenges, ten Hag has praised Manchester United’s performance against Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter-final, describing it as some of the best football of the season. The match ended with a 4-3 victory for United, with Amad Diallo scoring a dramatic winner in extra time. This victory was highlighted as a sign of the team’s potential for the future, with ten Hag expressing confidence in their ability to progress further in the competition.
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Ten Hag’s first season in English football was impressive, leading Manchester United to third place and ending their six-year trophy drought with the EFL Cup in February. They were also beaten finalists in last season’s FA Cup final. Despite the recent setbacks, ten Hag’s leadership has shown a commitment to fighting for the team’s goals, acknowledging the importance of character and resilience in overcoming adversity.
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