United Shows Strength

            Despite a slow start to the season, and a loss to Rooney to suspension and Falcao to injury, Manchester United put on their most convincing show against Chelsea today. Both teams were likely saying the same things about the game; that they were both unhappy to not win. Chelsea feels this way because they are currently seen as the greatest contender for the title and have started the season as such while United feels that they played a game deserving of a win. United seemed to be winning the game, ending up with over twice the shots and greater possession time than Chelsea, but ended up down by one after a goal by Drogba. At this point, Chelsea looked to dominate and kill the game like they do so well, and it looked as if they would succeed and turn out with the win. However, in the 94^th minute, a free kick by Di Maria ended up at the feet of Van Persie who put the ball in the back of the net and gave United a much needed, and deserved, 1-1 tie to league leaders Chelsea.

            For Manchester United and its fans, today’s game against Chelsea was going to show a lot about the team and where they stand going forward. For one, Rooney, their captain and long-time starting forward, was out due to suspension after a red card in a previous game. There has been dispute to Rooney’s position as captain and if he deserves the title, and how the team plays without him could change that status. After losing to much less competitive teams than Chelsea, United was not expected to do extremely well against them, but this improvement does show that United may be better off without Rooney as their captain. In the absence of Rooney, Robin Van Persie took on the role as captain against Chelsea, and he played a game deserving of the captain’s band, scoring the late goal to equalize and give the team a point in the league. Going forward, I wonder if this may be a permanent change in statuses, with Van Persie remaining as captain and Rooney losing the title. Depending on how United does in the next games without Rooney, this may become a more likely outcome. Either way, the game was a very disappointing one for Chelsea and gives hope to what Manchester United can do in the future.