Manchester United vs. Chelsea: Blues come away with a point at Old Trafford

Some people seemed to come away from last night’s game feeling somewhat short-changed, but it was mostly the fabled Neutrals after a game of much huffing and puffing but little action. “Sky have hyped this up!”, they cried, angered at the fact that a broadcaster may wish to draw attention to a game between two title contenders.

However, put into context, this is a side who are two games into the season, who have just lost their manager of twenty-six years and been taken over by a man who does not have the pedigree to inspire confidence. Maybe, just maybe, David Moyes made the team selection because he feared for his job, knowing that a loss would’ve been a disaster and sown some very early seeds of doubt in the mind of the public.

The first half was completely devoid of entertainment, as speculative shots from distance that slowly rolled to the goalkeepers marked the best chances at goal for both sides.

Martin Atkinson was as ineffective as both attacks, failing to show yellow cards for much of the first half despite some cynical and dangerous tackles. When he finally did caution someone, it was Kevin De Bruyne who was punished, and for a soft foul that saw him get elbowed in the face.

Martin Atkinson was more dangerous than either team, allowing both teams to do whatever they pleased without showing a card. Maybe that’s not fair because he did finally caution someone, but it was to Kevin De Bruyne for getting elbowed in the face, apparently a much bigger sin that cynically taking down a man in full flight or sliding in late with two feet.

• United-Chelsea will teach us nothing

• United-Chelsea will teach us nothing

• Moyes and the importance of power

All three of the realistic challengers are doing so with new men at the helm and not one of the three seems to have the resources for such a flawless side to be forged. Moyes, Pellegrini and Mourinho will all plan for their sides to ascend into the ranks of those all-conquering team, but this season will be the first hurdle on the journey, where they determine whether or not the present outfit has it in them.

It’s difficult to see any of the present outfits doing that in their current form, all being deeply flawed in a manner that is not easily solved, and possessing a handful of best-in-the-league players rather than one overpowering unit, like an impenetrable back four or all-conquering midfield. In addition, the rest of the league is far stronger than it used to be, with money spent at the top not appearing to go as far as that spent in the middle.