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The Red Devils delivered what many are describing as a "statement" performance against defending title holders Chelsea, though the team were feeling wanting for rather than the solitary point secured from the encounter.

United successfully halt Chelsea's perfect start to the new season as their defender's sublime strike equalized Wieke Kaptein's exquisite opener.

The draw marked a significant achievement for United, who had before this lost in 10 and tied just one of their previous eleven league meetings with the Blues.

Yet, boss Marc Skinner voiced "disappointment" that his side came away with only one point rather than maximum points as they extended their unbeaten streak to 5 games.

Throughout the game, Ella Toone missed chances on either side of the interval, while Jess Park should have done better with a lofted attempt before narrowly missing with a powerful shot.

Ex- England midfielder Fara Williams commented: "In my opinion Manchester United might be kicking themselves. They created numerous good chances and perhaps with better composure in the final third, they would have come out on top."

Nevertheless, United might have just as easily walked away with nothing from the match.

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made a superb late save to deny Chelsea's Keira Walsh, while the defenders Maya Le Tissier and Sandberg made crucial blocks during the final minutes to prevent the Blues from scoring.

Ex- England shot-stopper Rachel Brown-Finnis remarked: "United are the first team to take points off Chelsea this season. If they need to issue a message to their own club and confirm what Manchester United's ambition is, they've deserved all that."

Draw Demonstrates Progress of Developing Manchester United

This major question at the beginning of this season - the same one that's been asked over the last six WSL seasons - is if any team can end Chelsea's supremacy.

Chelsea secured last term's trophy by remaining twenty-two games without defeat in Sonia Bompastor's debut season as manager - part of a three trophies as they lifted the Women's FA Cup and League Cup too.

Actually, it's been more than five hundred days since Chelsea previously lost a league game - a four-three loss at Liverpool on May 1st, 2024.

Manchester United narrowly missed to halting that run on the weekend in a top-two clash and Skinner was impressed of "an extremely brave performance" from his players.

The manager stated: "We're building. You can observe it, you can feel it. We are frustrated to not win the game. The opportunities we created, few teams could create that against Chelsea. So for us to do that and in the way we did it was praise to them [the players]."

Since their elevation from the Women's Championship in 2019, United have rapidly emerged as WSL title challengers, ending up just two points behind Chelsea in 2022-23.

The following season they claimed the FA Cup - their first major women's trophy.

While a draw against the current league frontrunners may be considered a missed opportunity for United, ex- England striker the analyst thought it demonstrated how far the team has come.

She noted: "One must look at that consistency. They've played eleven times against Chelsea to date and only drawn once, currently the second, so I think it's truly positive for their reliability and what they're achieving as a club and a squad. It shows it's effective and they're improving."

Asked if Skinner deserved more credit for United's ascent to compete with more established clubs, the expert added: "What he's accomplished with these players, the philosophy, the DNA, how resolute they are. He hasn't got the amount of money or been able to spend the amount of money the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal or [Manchester] City have done."

What Does This Impact the Title Race?

Chelsea's flawless beginning may have ended, but they still stay in first place on thirteen points - two points ahead of United.

But Skinner said his team's display at the Progress With Unity Stadium - where Chelsea secured last season's title - demonstrated the Blues will not have it so straightforward this season.

He added: "This proves to Chelsea they're not simply going to run away with the league. We need to make sure everyone is putting a contest. I think the league is getting better and you saw the quality, that we are advancing as well."

Chelsea manager Bompastor was "not happy" with Chelsea's performance, but said a tie was "a decent result at Manchester United".

Questioned if United were title contenders, she responded: "I see many teams being real competition for us, each game brings a distinct challenge. You must be ready for every game."

City, who lost to Chelsea in the first match, could close the difference on the leaders to a single point if they beat Arsenal at home on the weekend.

The previous season's second-place Arsenal, in the meantime, have ground to recover after losing points against each of United and Aston Villa, and manager Renee Slegers will be targeting the Gunners' home game against Chelsea on November 8th as a opportunity to get themselves into the race.