United off to its worst EPL start

MANCHESTER, England — Moises Caicedo's strike denied Manchester United victory in its first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag, as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal difference into fourth place in the table.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four.

The Red Devils' return of just 12 points from 10 games is United's worst start to a league campaign since 1986-87.

That was the year Alex Ferguson was hired and went on to lead the club to a period of unprecedented success, winning 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.

United fans will have to hope that Ten Hag being fired last week and replaced by Amorim is a good omen.

"Whenever you see a manager go, you have to take some of the blame on yourself, it is because the team is not doing so well," United captain Fernandes said Sunday. "I spoke to the manager (Ten Hag) and apologized to him. I was disappointed he has gone and I tried to help him."

Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares for his final run of games in charge of Sporting Lisbon, the next of which is against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United was far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 rout of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge in midweek, reaching the League Cup quarterfinals.

Still a hero among United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman's name was chanted in a buoyant prematch atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that has lost once in nine Premier League games provided a much stiffer test for a United side still struggling with confidence.

Both sides hit the woodwork in a disappointing first 45 minutes, as Noni Madueke hit the post from a corner before Marcus Rashford clipped the bar with a cushioned volley in the last action of the half.

Pedro Neto's burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period, but the Portuguese winger's shot flew just past the far post.

However, the Blues remain overly reliant on midfielder Cole Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy's pairing of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

'Results will come'

Before kick-off, only Southampton had scored fewer than United's eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

"Over the last games we played, we lost some points where we didn't convert our chances," said Van Nistelrooy, who is set to take charge of two more games.

"When you create a lot, all through the season so far, I'm not too worried the players will get in a flow with results and confidence growing. Results will come."

Alejandro Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring with a tame effort from Fernandes' cut-back that looped into the arms of Robert Sanchez.

United was gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way, sparking wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United's joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes.

A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected with a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Caicedo was a British transfer record 115 million pounds ($149 million) when he joined Chelsea just over a year ago, and is beginning to deliver on that investment after a difficult first season.

"I think we did the most difficult thing in this stadium against this team ... we were down and we came back immediately," Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said.

"Since he arrived, Moi is doing fantastic," said Maresca.

"The problem with Moi is, because the club paid big money, people expect him to be the best. It is normal to be a bit up and down. We are trying to improve him and he is showing how good he is."

Chelsea should have struck again moments later, when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

But, it was United who came closest in a frantic finale when an acrobatic effort from Garnacho flew just over the bar.

Agencies