Mbappé's free-kick was of high quality; it seems he's integrating well into the team.
Yes, that's right. Several passes have shown good chemistry, but I think Mbappé still performs better as a left winger.
Indeed, a forward with Mbappé's speed and technique lacks the role of a target man. However, in Chelsea's 4-2-3-1 formation, if the attacking midfielder behind him can provide enough support, then Mbappé will be fully activated.
Well, Chelsea's attacking midfielder is Mudryk right now. If the two can develop good chemistry, then Chelsea's offense this season might see a qualitative change.
With no new developments on the field, Zhan Jun and Zhang began to chat idly.
No more clear-cut chances appeared in the first half, and Chelsea entered halftime tied 1-1 with Manchester United.
Fifteen minutes later, both teams' players walked back onto the field.
Oh? We see Mason Mount, who recently joined Manchester United, on the field. Casemiro has been substituted, and Mount is playing in the defensive midfield position. This is Mount's first match against his old club.
No sooner had Zhan Jun finished speaking than the Referee blew the whistle to start the second half.
In the 53rd minute of the match, Manchester United organized an attack. Rice dropped back to receive a goal kick from Nübel.
Bruno Fernandes pushed forward, with both full-backs on the left and right providing support.
Chelsea's pressing intensity was not high, and Rice steadily advanced with the ball. He needed to decide the direction of the attack.
Here!
Mason Mount actively waved for the ball, also signaling to push forward.
Rice promptly passed the ball and then began to press forward.
After receiving the ball, Mason Mount took a touch to the right, evading Enzo Fernández's tackle, and moved to the right flank.
Vanderson pulled back into the center to fill the defensive position, and Antony did not push forward either. He and Mount lacked sufficient chemistry, so he chose to wait conservatively for a pass.
Mount did not delay the tempo too much on the flank, instead, he made a long pass, shifting the ball across a wide area to the weak side.
Bruno Fernandes and Gao Nuo were in the center, and Chelsea's defensive attention was drawn to the middle.
Rashford controlled the long pass, but did not rush to act when facing Reece James.
Seeing that the opportunity in the middle was not good, Rashford instinctively wanted to pass the ball back.
Marcus!
Rashford was looking for Rice's position and happened to hear Rice's shout.
The ball was passed horizontally to the right, and Rice, who had surged from midfield, took a direct long-range shot.
The ball was powerful, with little spin, flying straight towards the left side of the goal.
Kepa was not afraid of long-range shots. He moved his feet quickly, flew out, and punched the ball out for a corner.
Oh—!
The disappointed cries of Manchester United fans rang out, and Zhan Jun and Zhang in the live broadcast room quickly analyzed the attack.
Rice's shot was a good opportunity, and Mount's wide-ranging pass was very well executed.
Yes, that's right. Although it didn't result in a goal, such an attack poses a significant threat to Chelsea's defense.
Exactly, the cooperation between Rice and Mount is still quite good.
Yes, indeed. We can see that Mount is not playing as a defensive midfielder on the field; he is more often taking on the responsibilities of a box-to-box midfielder, constantly running and full of energy.
This all-out attack and defense style is more like Carrick's usual approach, but it puts more pressure on Manchester United's defense.
As the two commentators said, Manchester United and Chelsea began to exchange blows.
In the 60th minute of the match, Chelsea attacked. Mudryk received a pass from Enzo Fernández and, under pressure from Rice, passed the ball towards the penalty area.
Mbappé, alone against two Manchester United center-backs, took a chipped shot from the edge of the box.
The ball curved and narrowly missed the goal.
In the 68th minute of the match, Chelsea launched another attack. Sterling took on Vanderson, gained a step, and then swept the ball across the face of the goal.
At the near post, Mbappé was tied up by Lisandro Martínez, and the ball slipped between the two of them.
Mudryk cleverly darted into the box and completed a sliding shot at the far post.
Nübel made a brilliant save, blocking the ball out for a corner with his foot.
In the 71st minute of the match, Fofana cleared the ball, Enzo Fernández won possession, and sent a through ball into Manchester United's half.
Mbappé evaded Lisandro Martínez's pull and surged forward.
Just as he was about to shoot, the Referee's whistle left Mbappé utterly disappointed.
Through the replay, Mbappé was offside by the length of one foot, making this one-on-one opportunity fruitless.
Chelsea's attacks put Manchester United on the back foot, and their goal was nearly breached several times, leaving the home fans worried.
In the 75th minute of the match, Carrick replaced Antony with Kante, and Manchester United switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
Mount moved to the left midfield position, Bruno Fernandes went to the right midfield, and Rice and Kante anchored the midfield.
Rashford and Gao Nuo formed a two-striker partnership.
Well, we see that Carrick's personnel adjustments are very bold. Changing the formation at this stage of the match, I wonder what kind of changes it will bring.
Yes, Kante and Mount are both facing their old clubs. I wonder if this is Carrick's deliberate choice.
Well, making such adjustments under high defensive pressure, it all depends on whether Manchester United's offense can deliver.
Zhang immediately noticed Manchester United's change in formation and started a discussion with Zhan Jun.
In the 77th minute of the match, in front of Manchester United's penalty area, Mudryk was pressed tightly by Rice and hastily passed the ball to Sterling on the left.
Bruno Fernandes, who had dropped deep, anticipated the pass and successfully intercepted the ball near the edge of the box.
Sterling immediately tried to win the ball back, but Bruno Fernandes passed it to the center.
Kante received the ball. This was his first touch after coming on, and two years in the Saudi League had not dulled Kante's passing awareness.
Kante had already observed his teammates' positions before receiving the ball, and a diagonal long pass left Chelsea's Enzo Fernández stranded.
The ball flew quickly through the air towards the left side of the pitch.
Mount picked up speed, controlled the ball on the touchline, and then dribbled forward.
Rashford moved closer to the left, observing Mount and Gao Nuo's positions while trying to shake off Škriniar's defense with his movement.
Mount held off Reece James's defense on the flank, steadily advancing with the ball.
Rashford couldn't find space and opted to drop back to receive the pass.
Enzo! Cover!
Škriniar did not follow out. Gao Nuo was lurking nearby, so Škriniar held his position, allowing the retreating Enzo Fernández to cover.
Mount's timing for the pass was excellent. After Rashford received the ball, there was temporarily no defender in front or behind him, allowing him to turn calmly and drive towards the penalty area.
Careful!
Škriniar shouted a warning to his teammates, forced to rush out and block Rashford.
Gao Nuo's forward run suddenly stopped, and Fofana reacted too slowly, creating a two-body-length gap between him and Gao Nuo.
Rashford instinctively passed the ball to the right, giving Gao Nuo an excellent shooting opportunity.
