Twitter explodes as Cristiano Ronaldo rescues Manchester United in 1-1 draw against Chelsea

Cristiano Ronaldo saved United's blushes

Manchester United and Chelsea played out a highly competitive 1-1 draw in the Premier League on Thursday as Cristiano Ronaldo scored to cancel out Marcos Alonso's opener.

The Portuguese superstar lead the line for Manchester United, with Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford behind him as Jadon Sancho missed out through illness. Nemanja Matic partnered Scott McTominay in midfield, with the back-four also remaining unchanged following the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal last time out.

Thomas Tuchel named an extremely strong side, with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Mason Mount in attack. Jorginho and N'Golo Kante started in the middle of the park, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso on either flank. The Blues were boosted by the return of both Antonio Rudiger and Reece James to the starting lineup, partnering Thiago Silva in a back three.

Chelsea dominated the first-half, carving out multiple chances with James, Kante and Havertz unable to open the scoring. The German in particular could have had a hat-trick in the first half, but could not put away any of his opportunities. United goalkeeper David De Gea was the only thing keeping Manchester United from being two or three goals down in the opening 45 minutes, as the two sides went into half-time level at 0-0.

Chelsea drew first blood in the second-half as Alonso volleyed in a low shot past De Gea after Havertz headed on James' cross to the full-back. However, Cristiano Ronaldo was on hand to level the scores two minutes later. Matic took advantage of Kante's misplaced pass and dinked the ball into the forward who took it down and finished with aplomb.

James then had a chance to put the Blues in front in the 80th minute but saw hist left-footed effort crash off the post. That was the last significant action of the game as the two sides shared the spoils

Cristiano Ronaldo saves Manchester United's blushes as Chelsea dominate

Chelsea were unlucky to come away with just a point, as they were clearly the better side during the game.

A draw does neither side any favours as the Blues currently sit 3rd in the table, six points ahead of Arsenal in 4th. Meanwhile, Manchester United, are 6th, five points off the Gunners.

With that being said, here are the best Twitter reactions from Manchester United's 1-1 draw against Chelsea :

It finishes level at Old Trafford.

#MUFC | #MUNCHE

It ends level in Manchester.

#MunChe https://t.co/6n3gY1Wal8

Manchester United and Chelsea can't be separated at Old Trafford 🤝

A frustrating evening for Chelsea 🔵 https://t.co/NgsfR7Qzm1

Manchester United don't need Erik Ten Hag, they need Allah.

Wallahi this team is finished

Chelsea are dominating Man United and doing so while in second gear.

David de Gea’s first half v Chelsea https://t.co/3HRSoQlnho

#mufc playing with all the intensity of a team that’s just discovered that even their interim manager has been plotting his next move away from the club.

Reece James is head and shoulders the best player on the pitch so far.

Chelsea carving open chances with ease. Horrendous gaps in United's team.

#MUFC

havertz purple patch lasted less than a month

Tuchel’s reaction to Havertz’s miss 😳 https://t.co/YWSSgPLs2b

Imagine where we would be if the top reds would have got their way. No Ronaldo and De Gea replaced by Henderson 💀

Be in a fucking relegation scrap by now

Hope this helps

David De Gea trying to save Man United from conceding against Chelsea
#MUNCHE https://t.co/Pwtz1Fbzl6

Marcos Alonso has been directly involved in 3 goals in his last 4 Premier League games:

⚽️ vs Man Utd
🅰️ vs West Ham
⚽️ vs Southampton

A short lived lead… 🇪🇸 https://t.co/gO1kErYGFI

A goal conceded within seconds of a Chelsea throw. Not great from Kante twice there #CFC

All of sudden United put a moment together.

Majestic pass Matic.

Ronaldo's two touches pure quality.

#MUFC

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 17 goals in the Premier League this season, only Mohamed Salah (22) has more:

🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah (22)
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo (17)
🇰🇷 Son Heung-min (17)

Unbelievable finish. 👏👏👏 https://t.co/hE3UaKmTvW

Of all United’s problems this season - just don’t say Ronaldo is one of them.
Pure class #mufc

The problem…. And that’s another!
@Cristiano 😂😆

Some spirit about United in that second half. Totally outplayed, of course. Players staying on to digest the game.

Garnacho's family - two wearing United shirts bearing his name - posing for memento pictures in directors' box.

#MUFC