Strength in the middle of the field
Nemanja Matic's exit this summer was meant to mark the arrival of Scott McTominay at Manchester United, but this match proved that is not a possibility.

United's midfield was sturdy under Matic, but McTominay was outthought and outbattled in the center of the pitch, and his distribution was abysmal as a result.

During the game, there were several instances in which United's midfield was absent from the action. Despite the fact that Bruno Fernandes will always have periods where he plays out of place, N'Golo Kante and Jorginho were allowed much too much leeway on the field of play.

There was one time in the first half when Chelsea broke through a press and found Kante 25 yards from his own goal, and when he glanced up, there was not a single red shirt between him and United's back four.

United's midfield put in yet another disconcerting display, providing further evidence that it may take more than one summer transfer to turn the team around in this department. United require more than simply one outstanding holding midfielder in the middle of the pitch; they require players with more brains and more strength.

Weak United's midfield was easily overwhelmed by Kante, Jorginho and Mason Mount despite their lack of man-mountain qualities.

The source of Ronaldo's inspiration

Given the lack of talent United had shown in the preceding hour at Old Trafford, it appeared as though this game was finished as soon as Chelsea took the lead.

Their efforts to put pressure on Chelsea's goal had been limited to a weak Fernandes header, which had challenged Edouard Mendy's resolve. Matic intercepted Kante's sloppy delivery, allowing United to put together a series of fine passes.
This beautiful loft-wedge pass from the Serbian was controlled in an instant by Cristiano Ronaldo's silky touch, which was in stark contrast to the thundering finish that came after it was completed.

a long period of time The build-up play on Thursday was little, but he demonstrated that when the opportunity presents itself, there is no one else you would want on the receiving end.

Since the confirmation of Erik ten Hag's employment, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in excellent form in front of goal. Ten Hag may be 37 years old, but it's difficult to see how he can put together a roster that doesn't feature Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming season.

Weaknesses that are predictable

It was a source of regret at Old Trafford when Ralph Hasenhuttl publicly criticized Manchester United's flaws in February, since a coach had been so forthright in his assessment of another team.

It was made quite obvious by Hassenhutl that Southampton's strategy was to outrun a United team that dislikes returning to their own end. According to him, "When they drop the ball, it's not a big secret that their reverse gears aren't the best from anyone."

Having the opponents simply run longer and harder than they do has become a reoccurring issue for United in recent years. Chelsea's players outworked their Manchester United counterparts on a nearly man-for-man basis last night.

On the wings, it's even more evident than on the other side. For months, Manchester United have struggled against wing-back systems because their wingers don't want to return to their own goal.

Alonso and Reece James, in particular, were able to run the legs out of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga during the game. Hasenhuttl's public dissection of what is essentially a humiliating flaw is now being exploited by every opponent.

Protest
In the final quarter-hour before kick-off, those United fans who had once again taken up residence in the Munich Tunnel made their dissatisfaction known, with cordite wafting into an eerily silent stadium in the final quarter-hour before kick-off.

If the Glazers were watching the game from back home in Tampa - and let's be honest, that's a long shot - they would have been greeted by a massive 'Glazers Out' banner hanging above the tunnel as the players emerged from the locker room. Despite the fact that the letters appeared out of nowhere, they were placed in such a way that it was difficult for the television cameras to miss them as the teams made their way out.

Though apparent, the most significant - and alarming to the stadium's owners - protest was represented by the large number of vacant seats across the stadium. Seeing the Red Devils has been a chore so far this season, and with a dreary Thursday night game against a team that is out of form and has nothing to play for, many fans chose to stay home or sold their tickets.

Ten Hag's difficulties

In terms of the pitch, there is plenty to cause concern for Ten Hag ahead of his arrival at Old Trafford, but the latest dreadful performance came on a day when his mission had already been made more difficult.

An even greater challenge awaits the Dutchman now that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has agreed to extend his contract until 2026. There is a strong possibility that Pep Guardiola will follow suit, and Ten Hag faces a difficult task.

The departures of Guardiola and Klopp in 2023 and 2024, respectively, would have been considered as stepping stones for him, but he will now almost certainly be required to perform at the same level as both managers while they remain in their positions.

It certainly makes the challenge more difficult, but one thing is certain: it makes it more interesting. In recent weeks, United have been at their worst. They can't get any worse than that.