Chelsea snatch United draw in battle of Dutch managers

Chelsea – and John Terry, in particular – felt they should have been ahead before Lingard’s goal.

Following the 5-1 victory over MK Dons in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend, Terry disclosed that talks over a new deal had broken down and he was set to leave Chelsea as a free agent at the end of the season.

United found their breakthrough just past the hour mark.

United dominated early on, Thibaut Courtois producing a fine one-handed save to keep out Anthony Martial.

Borthwick-Jackson produced the cross for Rooney who played it on for Lingard.

But Costa rescued the Blues in stoppage time as he rounded United goalkeeper David de Gea to tuck home from close range and deny the visitors all three points as Hiddink’s unbeaten run stretched to seven games.

Chelsea belatedly responded, with a Costa header deflected narrowly wide and a Nemanja Matic header saved by De Gea.

The 25-year-old’s situation will therefore be an interesting one to watch in the summer, especially if United miss out on Champions League football for next season, as is looking increasingly likely following today’s disappointing outcome. Marouane Fellaini headed Blind’s corner just wide and Matteo Darmian’s cross was tantalisingly out of Rooney’s reach. The Chelsea winger’s cross was inviting and all Oscar needed to do was get a touch on the ballad n the home side would have been 1-0 up, but the midfielder narrowly missed out on making contact. They suffered what could well be a more significant blow when defender Kurt Zouma fell awkwardly and hyper-extended his knee, which led to cries of agony and lengthy treatment before being carried from the field.

United substitute Memphis Depay conceded possession, allowing Fabregas to slide a pass into the box, and with Borthwick-Jackson succeeding only in sliding the ball away from De Gea, Costa had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

There used to be a time when Chelsea vs Manchester United was a must-watch game.

The result now leaves United six points off the Champions League spots with 13 games to go.

“We had a strong start, with good finishing, and we controlled the game”, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the BBC.

“I feel that if we beat Chelsea – and that is not simple, it is very hard as they don’t lose anymore with Guus Hiddink – then I think our competition and our league shall start again and that is very important”, van Gaal said, according to the club’s website.