5 things we learnt from Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Manchester United

Fortune not favoring United

Phil Dowd

They say fortune favors the brave, but Moyes will be quick to disagree with that, especially on the back of his side’s performance against Chelsea in which a few key decisions went against United. United started the brighter of the two sides and dominated the possession in the first half and were unlucky not have been awarded a penalty in the first half, when Welbeck was clearly blocked as he was just about to take his shot.

But, at the other end, Chelsea had that bit of luck, with Eto’o’s first goal, which looped off Carrick and into the net. In the second half as well, United should have had a few free kicks, and were robbed off a free kick deep into the Chelsea half after Cahill’s handball in 79^th minute.

Unfortunately for United, when it rained, it poured, as Vidic was sent off, in the dying moments for a tackle that was unnecessary, but probably deserved nothing more than a yellow. And although Rafael should have followed him, United would have gone back, cursing their wretched luck.

United look shaky at the back

Samuel Eto’o scoring his hattrick

With the season just halfway through, United have already used seven different center half pairings in their Premier League games so far, and the lack of stability at the back is coming back to haunt them. In the first half, although United had plenty of possession, when Chelsea attacked, United looked vulnerable at the back.

Evra was one of the main culprits as the Frenchman didn’t track back as quickly as he should have on more than one occasion. Although the introduction of Smalling and shift of Rafael to left back, worked in the second half, it was more as a result of Chelsea not bothering to attack rather than the defense playing well.

Moyes was renowned as a pragmatic coach, whose sides were difficult to break down, but that has seldom been the case at Manchester United. Whether by design or default, United are conceding far too many goals and with the goals few and far between, Moyes needs to build from the back. Or else, even fourth place might be out of reach.

Will Manchester United finish outside the top four?

Disappointed David Moyes at Stamford Bridge

Defeat against Chelsea was United’s seventh in the current season, an all-time high for this point in a Premier League campaign, and that has certainly brought out the naysayers in full voice. Although United have been patchy of late, the defeat was only their second in their previous seven League games and their first away loss since the mauling at the hands of their crosstown rivals Manchester City.

At this point, the title looks well and truly out of reach, but the race for the top four might not. But, for that to happen, United have to start beating the top seven teams, something that they haven’t managed so far apart from their home win against Arsenal.