Chelsea missed the chance to climb back into the top four in the Premier League after grinding a goalless draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues threw in their offensive linemen and all the novel ideas from new boss Thomas Tuchel but they couldn’t disappoint against Red Devils striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chelsea extended their unbeaten run under new manager Tuchel to nine games, while United stretched their stunning game without a Premier League loss on the road to 20 games.
Striker Tammy Abraham missed out completely with an ankle strain, and Blues Callum Hudson-Odoi missed at half-time to a potential injury.
In-form striker Olivier Giroud was unable to make the most of two promising openings in the first half, with Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner all trying to find the back of the net.
The draw was the best result for United, who were able to hold on to second place in the league table.
Chelsea were left in fifth place to whitewash another game under Tuchel boasting leadership both in possession and in range – but one severely missing a cut-down.
Chelsea started clear and United needed a well-headed intervention from Luke Shaw to stop Giroud, who was crying at the longest post awaiting a nod in Mount’s glorious cross.
Hudson-Odoi avoided conceding a penalty, but only after a VAR examination of a possible handball.
The young English player then lit a volley just wide after going through an internal power supply.
Toni Rudiger’s intimidating pirouette and 50-yard raking ball allowed Hudson-Odoi to whip in a dangerous cross, and Giroud was only an inch away from connecting with a dive head.
The groove then went down to half-time, at which point Hudson-Odoi was apparently taken out of a thigh problem.
The 20-year-old was spotted with strapping and ice on his right leg after the interim.
Reece James was sent into the fray area in the right-back post, with Ziyech following Giroud’s side at the top of the pitch.
Chelsea attacked from the outside after the break, however, and Ziyech blocked a strong save from David De Gea.
United were quick to offer riposte though, with Mason Greenwood driving just wide of 20 yards.
Edouard Mendy then had to make a good stop from Scott McTominay, as United began to benefit from Chelsea ‘s biggest attacking effort.
Pulisic replaced Giroud with nearly 20 minutes to play, as Chelsea continued to run.
Former RB Leipzig striker Werner confirmed the final roll of Tuchel’s dice, but the £ 53million summer recruit was just as powerless as anyone else in blue to break the stop .
Taskmaster boss Tuchel shouted repeatedly at Werner in his short cameo, with the Chelsea boss desperate to push the big money into shape.