Jonathan Wilson: Manchester United, Chelsea play to a defensive stalemate

[Jonathan Wilson]

After a couple of years of harum-scarum goalfests between the big sides, Monday's meeting between Manchester United and Chelsea was a return to attrition. It's dangerous always to read too much into one game, but the indications are that defending is back at the top level of the English game -- and it may be that that leads to improved performances in the Champions League. Many will suggest that is the influence of the return of Jose Mourinho, and it is true that he has no qualms about playing reactive football, but the stalemate at Old Trafford was just as much to do with the approach of David Moyes.

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