Man Utd can learn lessons from Michael Carrick's tactics vs Chelsea to help them at Old Trafford

Manchester United can use lessons from their last game against Chelsea to help them bounce back after consecutive defeats. They take on Chelsea this Thursday night at Old Trafford as Ralf Rangnick's side look to end a poor spell.

Chelsea hosted United at Stamford Bridge in late November when United were transitioning between managers, so it was caretaker Michael Carrick in the dugout. Carrick used three defensive midfielders in order to bolster United’s defence.

A trio of Fred, Scott McTominay and former Chelsea man Nemanja Matic was able to suffocate Chelsea in the middle of the park. Fred has been a doubt in the run-up to this game, however, as the Brazilian recovers from an injury that forced him off at Goodison Park earlier this month.

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Even though Chelsea had the majority of chances, most of them came from outside the box and David de Gea was able to thwart the London side when called upon. If Rangnick can use this sort of tactic effectively, he may be able to hold the Chelsea attackers at bay and then use the pace of the United attackers to counter-attack, as they did for the opening goal against Thomas Tuchel's side last time.

Early in the second half, Chelsea midfielder Jorginho miscontrolled a Bruno Fernandes clearance on the halfway line, which Jadon Sancho latched onto before slotting calmly past Edouard Mendy. The biggest call Carrick made in November was leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench as he was subbed on midway through the second half but failed to make an impact.

Jorginho redeemed himself when he equalised for the Blues when he sent De Gea the wrong way from the penalty spot after Aaron Wan-Bissaka fouled Thiago Silva. United held on