A turbulent week for Manchester United ended with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, as the club recorded its worst league start in nearly 40 years.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo netted a spectacular long-range volley, leaving United with just 12 points from 10 games—a statistic Opta confirmed as United’s lowest point tally at this stage since the 1986-87 season. That season was marked by Alex Ferguson’s arrival at United, beginning an era of unprecedented success with 13 league titles and two Champions League wins.
Fans are likely hoping for a similar turnaround, as Erik ten Hag was dismissed this week, with Ruben Amorim named as his successor. “When a manager leaves, you have to take some responsibility,” said United’s captain Bruno Fernandes on November 3, 2024. “I spoke to the manager (Ten Hag) and apologized. I’m disappointed he’s gone, and I tried to support him.”
Fernandes scored from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, giving United a temporary lead as interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy aimed for his second consecutive victory, following a 5-2 win against Leicester in the League Cup on October 30. However, Caicedo’s strike four minutes later equalized the match, witnessed by fans, including pop star Olivia Rodrigo, and shared the points.
“We managed to come back quickly in a tough stadium against a strong team,” commented Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca. Chelsea’s draw moved them to fourth place in the standings, ahead of Arsenal, while United dropped to 13th, six points short of a Champions League spot.
Tottenham, meanwhile, triumphed over Aston Villa with a 4-1 win earlier that day. After Ten Hag’s dismissal on Monday, Amorim was confirmed as his replacement but will not take charge until November 11. Until then, Van Nistelrooy will lead United, who nearly secured a win that would have brought them within four points of the top four until Caicedo’s late equalizer.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t win, as we had the better chances, but the team’s effort was outstanding,” Van Nistelrooy said. His future at the club is uncertain with Amorim’s impending arrival, though he will lead two more games—against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League and Leicester in the league—before stepping aside. “We’re committed to supporting Amorim in bringing Manchester United back to where it belongs,” he added.
Elsewhere, Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke scored twice in a second-half comeback against Aston Villa, sealing a 4-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Solanke’s two goals in quick succession, along with James Maddison’s injury-time free kick, pushed Spurs to seventh place in the standings.
In the FA Cup, AFC Wimbledon defeated MK Dons 2-0 in one of England’s most intense rivalries, with Matty Stevens and Omar Bugiel scoring on either side of halftime. The match holds deep significance, as AFC Wimbledon was created by fans following Wimbledon FC’s controversial relocation to Milton Keynes in 2002.
In another FA Cup match, Wrexham’s campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to fourth-tier Harrogate Town, as Jack Muldoon’s goal in the 24th minute secured Harrogate’s victory and a place in the next round.
