3 reasons why Manchester United drew with Chelsea

It's gradually becoming the rule. If you score against Manchester United, expect a retaliation. Manchester United are a team that needs a push to be unshackled and against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, not many people gave them a chance. Even less so after Antonio Rudiger put Chelsea ahead in the 21st minute.

Mourinho's men offered no great shakes in the first half but once again, the Special One earned his money with his half-time team talk. The Red Army showed up for the second half, revitalized and raring to go. Anthony Martial led the comeback with 2 very well taken goals and they nearly walked out of Stamford Bridge with all 3 points but for Barkley's equalizer in the very last minute of the game.

It was Premier League at its best. Without further ado, let's take a look at the 3 reasons why Manchester United drew with Chelsea:

#3 The margin of error is nearly non-existent in matches like this

Rudiger outsmarts Paul Pogba to score Chelsea's first goal

Despite being organized at the back and getting their functional formation to click, Manchester United conceded a cheap goal to go behind. In the corner set-piece from which Chelsea opened their scoring, Antonio Rudiger was supposed to be picked up by Pogba. And it looked like the Frenchman had it covered.

But as soon as Hazard whipped the ball in, Rudiger went around the blockade in front of him, thereby blinding Pogba and ran straight into space. It was a free header and the German was never going to miss. Pogba was livid with himself and was jumping up and down in frustration.

Even the second goal came thanks to United's lack of dominance in the air. David Luiz rose way above Smalling and Lindelof to hit the post before Barkley poked it in.

Manchester United have only kept one clean sheet this season in the Premier League and it is due to occasional lapses in concentration.

#2 That Manchester United midfield looks solid

Matic was on top of his game yesterday

Stifling the threat of Eden Hazard is no mean feat. Ashley Young did an excellent job. But curbing the threat of a midfield as functional as Chelsea's takes some doing. Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata did an excellent job at that.

Nemanja Matic is a different beast when he plays against his former employers. This is true of the last Premier League match between the two at Old Trafford as well. Matic was squeezing the ball out of possession and just swimming about in midfield with the ball like a dolphin.

Juan Mata is the link that keeps the midfield ticking. What he lacks for in defensive discipline, he makes up for with his technical efficiency in the final third. He played a major role in both goals and proved once again that he can be a regular feature for Mourinho's side that often struggles to link midfield and attack together.

Paul Pogba was desperate to make amends after his mistake in the first half gave away the goal, He got back to his best in the second half and was very difficult to handle as he brushed past the Chelsea midfield with considerable ease.

This looks like a trio that Manchester United should try out for an extended period of time.

#1 Manchester United's golden boys - Martial and Rashford

Anthony Martial is at it again

The sheer mobility that Martial and Rashford gives this United side should be reason enough for them to be entrusted with a run of games. Alexis Sanchez seems to not be able to get back to his best and for the while that he is underperforming, United should trust in Martial and Rashford.

Anthony Martial is at it again. He has been given a steady run of games and he has been scoring goals for fun again. This lad has a lot of goals in him and he'll prove to be United's golden weapon if Mourinho keeps him in the starting XI. It was great to see Mourinho hugging Martial at the touchline and Martial breaking the record for the widest grin he has ever produced.

Marcus Rashford was occasionally erratic but it was his vision to pick out Martial at the edge of the area, when the obvious choice would have been Lukaku, that helped United come back from behind and pick up the lead for the second Premier League game in a row.

Martial and Rashford offer blistering pace on either side of Lukaku and their directness makes Manchester United a threat and then some on the counter.