What did we learn at Chelsea?

Were there lessons to take away from an often frenetic game? 

Well, the world's media will study this match for clues as to how Ruben Amorim will set United up in next week's Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are the conclusions we took from Friday night in London...

AMORIM WANTED MORE

“I need to understand the team in a better way,” Ruben stated pre-match.

“They need time to prove themselves to be ready for the final.”

That was the task he set out for his players publicly. Inside the well-protected dressing room doors, you imagine that message was delivered with even greater vim, and certainly more meaning. Those on the receiving end will all be desperate to have a starting spot in Bilbao.

As for the hosts, it’s not quite what they were expecting. “Have a word, we thought you’d play the kids!” said one of the Blues’ staff members.

So, did they show enough to earn that at Stamford Bridge?

Well, the start was fiery. As if often the case with this team, it reflected that of its captain. Many expected Bruno Fernandes to sit this one out with next Wednesday’s final in mind. Instead, we watched a skipper playing with no thought on the final, just on winning this game. He tackled with a little bite and drove forward at pace. The same could be said for the whole team. The touches were sharp, there was some rhythm to our play.

That strong start would have resulted for a lead if not for the tightest of offside calls. Harry Maguire’s finish was excellent — more on that later.

The momentum dipped by half-time, but United defended resolutely. Amorim’s call for a performance was clearly on the players’ minds. With the seconds dying out, Amad attacked the ball from a Chelsea corner. It showed desire.

Chelsea were the better team in the second half and scored an excellent goal, crossed by Reece James and headed in by Marc Cucurella. Amorim will be furious at how either were allowed to lose their markers so simply. He has spoken about the need for better focus regularly. They cannot allow something similar to happen against Spurs. But the fight remained. And as we’ve seen in the Europa League all season with this team, if the desire is there, they can turn anything around.

BILBAO ON THE MIND

A sunny Friday night away in London before a European final? For those lucky enough to have a ticket and the time off to attend this fixture, it was a treat.

“It’s like a warm-up for us,” said one travelling Red.

The sun soaked United’s upper tier in the Shed End before kick-off, with loud renditions of ‘Follow, follow, follow, cos United are going to Bilbao’ already ringing around Stamford Bridge. With the occasional burst of another song in between, it would hardly stop until the stand emptied after full-time. That noise in Bilbao will be special.

As for the squad, Ruben didn’t want to bubble-wrap his team entirely, that much was clear, but he perhaps demonstrated the players he’s really relying on with his substitutions. Mason Mount and Casemiro were the first to come off, followed by Luke Shaw and Bruno.

MAGUIRE’S TEST

Amorim has told journalists that Maguire’s minutes have been carefully managed in recent weeks and months. Some predicted, as a result, that he’d be rested, but this was instead an excellent opportunity to test himself before what will no doubt be a gruelling battle out in the Basque Country. Finals always are.

His 15th-minute finish off Bruno’s cross represented a player brimming with confidence - and so did the knee-slide!

It didn’t count, unfortunately, but that such a shot didn’t draw surprise from all in attendance also spoke to Maguire’s burgeoning reputation. Another incident did, too. Towards the end of the first half, United were defending a succession of Chelsea corners. As they took one short, Maguire came sprinting out to challenge Pedro Neto. The Blues forward was the clear favourite for the ball, but faced with the sight of our full-steam-ahead no.5, he decided against making the challenge.

In a team sport with a ball that pings around in an endless number of possible ways, the tiny psychological details can change so much. Now let’s hope we see that effortless Maguire knee-slide in the final.

A-MAD BONUS

It feels so normal now: Amad is fit for the Europa League final. But a few weeks ago, when our final place was still yet to be secured, we were unclear how soon he could return, or whether he would at all this season.

The first sight of him returning to training provided hope, then followed an exciting cameo in that glorious away victory at Athletic Club. That felt like the real icing on the cake.

Now, we head into a final with one of our most unique players available, and with proper minutes under his belt. He threatened when on the ball at Chelsea, most notably with a 79th-minute shimmy and shot inside the area, which forced a corner. The way Amad takes players on, the way he moves his feet, and the way he uses his body is different to all other players in our squad. It’ll be so valuable in Bilbao.

THE INJURY LIST

Amorim’s approach to this last game pre-final contrasted that of Tottenham Hotspur’s Ange Postecoglou completely. The Spurs boss rested the vast majority of his team.

Whose was the right method? Who wins the in Bilbao will be the easiest way of telling. But Spurs suffered another injury scare with Pape Matar Sarr brought off and heading straight down the tunnel. United fans had reason to stress when Bruno, Amad and Maguire all went down briefly in this game, but the Reds got through without any obvious injuries. It seems Ruben’s risk hopefully paid off. This is a club built on taking risks, after all.

Despite another painful defeat, let's hope the test of this game sets the squad up suitably for San Mames.