When the shackles come off, they look a different beast altogether

WHEN you see how Manchester United played in the second half at Chelsea, you have to worry why they don’t start games like that. It was the same against Newcastle last weekend.

Take the handbrake off, they are a good side. But seeing Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial beginning so deep suggested a team based on fear.

Once the game got back to 1-1, United played with freedom and energy, no longer concerned by what was behind them, more intent on trying to win the game.

Why are United like that? It’s a mixture of things. Certainly Jose Mourinho likes to set up his teams in a certain way and, psychologically, the players can become frightened of losing the game — and their place.

But it’s important not to just blame the manager. Confidence can play a big part, too. United were well beaten at Brighton and West Ham, so they start tentatively, which saps energy.

I have to give praise to Juan Mata, who looked the one player even when United were struggling at Stamford Bridge who had the composure to keep the ball. Ashley Young was excellent, too, and never gave Eden Hazard an inch.

Romelu Lukaku embodied the changed approach once United went for it. I hardly saw him make a sprint in the first half but, in the second period, he was causing all sorts of danger.

But lots of credit must go to Chelsea, too, for the way they fought right until the very end.

Anyone who doubts it takes 14 players rather than 11 to be successful in Premier League matches should take a look at yesterday’s late rescue mission.

Maurizo Sarri’s side were in control for large parts of the game and really good in possession. Then they were messed up by United’s equaliser when Marcos Alonso stayed down the box when I don’t think he needed to — he would have blocked Martial’s shot.

But chasing the game at 2-1 down, the Chelsea boss had quality in his substitutions — Pedro, Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley, who scored the leveller.

Recent history tells you that Premier League champions normally have a 20-goal-a-season striker — and Alvaro Morata and Giroud don’t look like one.

However, you don’t always need a freescoring centreforward, particularly if Hazard was going to get 20 or 25 this season, but it is still very important.