Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has questioned the substitutions made by Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag during the dramatic 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
The game at Stamford Bridge passed by without much of note occuring until the last 10 minutes when the clash exploded into life after the Blues were awarded a penalty after Scott McTominay hauled Armando Broja to the floor. Jorginho stepped up to convert what many inside the ground assumed was going to be a Chelsea winner.
However, United's summer signing Casemiro notched his first goal in the famous red shirt to salvage a point for his side. It was a fantastic effort, with the Brazilian rising highest to loop his header over Kepa Arrizabalaga. The goal was subject to a review to determine whether the ball had actually crossed the line.
It was a cagey affair, with both managers making notable tactical tweaks throughout. Blues boss Graham Potter took left-back Marc Cucurella off inside the opening 40 minutes, while Ten Hag shifted Bruno Fernandes out on to the left to accomodate for the introduction of Fred in the second-half.
The Brazilian struggled once introduced, guilty of turning over possession on a number of occasions. Scholes felt that the decision to bring on both McTominay and Fred was incorrect and hampered United's chances of a victory.
"I think ten Hag got everything right. Other than the subs, I wasn’t mad keen on the subs,’ Scholes told Premier League Productions.
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"Fred came on and came into the game and didn’t really have an effect on the game and I think it ruined Fernandes as well. McTominay coming on as sub and within four minutes he had given away the penalty. In the day of VAR, you just cannot touch them.
"With VAR, you just can’t do it, you can’t get away with it. But I think it was a victory for ten Hag today, tactically he got it spot on."
A draw keeps United breathing down the necks of Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification. Just one point separates the two teams as both vie for a top-four finish come the end of the season.
Should Newcastle spring a surprise and topple Tottenham in north London, the Magpies would leapfrog both into fourth.
After the game, Ten Hag conceded a draw was a fair result. "We dictated the game and I am happy with that. If you concede a goal late it is difficult.
"Eight minutes before half time we had some troubles but defence in the second half we didn't have troubles. The second half we didn't really create big chances, but also Chelsea didn't.
"I think it is a fair result. I would have been disappointed if we had gone without a point because we didn't deserve that. At the end of a tough week to come here, you bring the point home."
