When it came, Bruno Fernandes scoring from the penalty spot, the celebrations were wild. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the interim manager who is keeping the dugout warm for Rúben Amorim, pumped his fists, ran down the line, jumped up and punched the air. It was like the old days when he led the United line, and the release of emotion was understandable because there had been plenty of frustration about the team's performance.
It was only their ninth goal of the league campaign - in their 10th game; remarkable levels of profligacy have been a major theme, one of the many drivers in the demise of Erik ten Hag. The lead lasted four minutes. Chelsea deserved something and got it when Moisés Caicedo caught a dropping ball sweetly on the edge of the area after a half-cleared corner. It was a celebration of technique and concentration, the volley fizzing into the bottom corner, André Onana powerless.
There were chances at both ends thereafter, Fernandes blowing a gilt-edged opportunity in stoppage time but the draw was about right.
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