Manchester United threw away a late lead to draw 1-1 with reigning champions Chelsea on Sunday, after Diego Costa scored a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point for the reigning Premier League champions.
The draw coupled with others results has left the Red Devils feint title hopes looking very fragile. Louis van Gaal’s team are 12 points behind league leaders Leicester. A top four finish now looks a far realistic option for United.
Even a top four finish may be a challenge at the moment, as the Red Devils are currently six points behind Manchester City, who occupy fourth-place and the last Champions League spot in the Premier League.
United have seemingly been producing a more adventurous style of football in recent games and were arguably unlucky to have come away from Stamford Bridge without a victory.
A draw at Chelsea is no disgrace. In fact it is the standard for visiting teams at the Bridge these days, as the Blues like a good home draw, having now drawn their last four home games in the Premier League.
It will not be the draw at Chelsea that will cost the Red Devils the chance of Premier League title glory this season, but the host of uninspiring performances earlier in the campaign that could cost them in the final reckoning.
Van Gaal seems to have let his players of the proverbial leash and suddenly United are looking a threat going forward. The Dutchman will now be left to wonder what might have been if he had not stuck so rigidly to his cautious style of play earlier in the campaign.