Manchester United have only themselves to blame if they miss Uefa Champions League qualification

Eleven minutes had passed between Manchester United and Chelsea when Juan Mata put his side ahead. It was a fine goal after a superb build-up involving Luke Shaw, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba, who embraced the Spaniard in front of the Stretford End after the goal. It was also United’s first goal from open play in almost nine hours, a seemingly vital, confidence-boosting goal since United needed to win at Chelsea’s expense. A point would have been fine for Chelsea as they would retain their three-point gap over United in their attempt to finish in the top four and play Uefa Champions League football. An open game ensued, with Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic and Pogba in midfield, the three players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used when he took over and saw that 19-game unbeaten run. Injuries to Herrera and Matic have meant he has not been able to play it as often as he want. Pogba? He is seldom injured. No United outfield player has started as many games as Pogba’s 39 this season. No United player has scored as many goals or made as many goals. No player has delighted or infuriated fans with his moments of genius combined with inexcusable bouts of selfishness and laziness. Pogba is capable of pinpoint long passes one minute, losing the ball in the next breath. It is not sufficient and United fans remain divided on their record signing. The speculation linking him to Real Madrid does not help. Pogba dribbled, he drove forward, he had freedom but he held the shape of the diamond well, he communicated regularly with the impressive Shaw behind him in the face of danger from Willian on Chelsea’s left hand side. He blocked a ball from Willian after 25 minutes which was going into the Chelsea box. He did the same a minute later from Cesar Azpilicueta, who looked liked he had been briefed to hit Pogba’s ankles, then rode challenges from Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho. No United player was fouled more than Pogba and while the ever present danger of Eden Hazard attracted the attention of adversaries in red, Pogba attracted equal attention from Chelsea’s players. It was all far better than United’s poor showings of late with Lukaku’s industry and Mata’s touches effective, but no player had more influence than Pogba. And then it was all undone in the 43rd minute when Antonio Rudiger hit a shot from outside the area which David de Gea should have comfortably saved. Instead, he panned it to Marcos Alonso who put the ball into the net off the post. It was another dreadful error from De Gea in a run of errors that are now costing United dearly. For six years, the goalkeeper has been the least of United’s problems. He has now become one of the biggest. The error changed the game and, in probability, United’s season. United have only kept two clean sheets at home all season. Fulham, in 19th, have kept three. United struggled to sustain the moments of pressure in the second period that they had in the first. They took too many touches – and Pogba was as guilty of this as any one – the tension increased as fans saw Champions League football slipping away. Chelsea sensed it and grew in stature in a nervy stadium full of fans incapable of lifting their team when they needed it. United were so impressive in the first half, so disappointing in the second. It was a microcosm for their form – so good in the first three months under Solskjaer, so bad since. They have won two of 10 games and such form is not close to being good enough to get them into the Champions League. Besides, what would they do if they got there? This side are so far off the top of the league because they are so far behind Manchester City and Liverpool. Pogba should have been able to lift his side in the second period. He could not and this United look mentally weak. This very average Chelsea side now have that Champions League position back in their control. With remaining games against relegated Huddersfield Town and struggling Cardiff City, United should take six points. But if they have left it too late – and it looks like they have – then they only have themselves to blame.

Manchester United have only themselves to blame if they miss Uefa Champions League qualification

Inconsistencies shown by Paul Pogba and his United teammates against Chelsea on Sunday night – and throughout the season – could cost them Uefa Champions League qualification, and they have only themselves to blame