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The Red Devils delivered what many are calling a "defining" performance against defending champions Chelsea, though the team were feeling hoping for rather than the single point earned from the encounter.

United managed to halt Chelsea's 100% beginning to the new campaign as Anna Sandberg's superb strike equalized Wieke Kaptein's exquisite first goal.

The draw represented a important outcome for United, who had previously lost in ten and tied just a single of their prior eleven league meetings with the Blues.

Yet, boss Marc Skinner expressed "frustration" that his team came away with only one point rather than maximum points as they continued their undefeated run to five games.

Throughout the match, United's midfielder wasted opportunities on either side of the interval, while teammate Jess Park should have converted with a lofted attempt before narrowly missing with a powerful shot.

Former England player Fara Williams commented: "I felt like Manchester United will probably be regretting missed opportunities. They generated numerous quality chances and perhaps with better finishing in the attacking area, they could have come out on top."

However, Manchester United could have just as readily walked away with no points from the fixture.

Shot-stopper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made a excellent second-half save to prevent Chelsea's Keira Walsh, while the defenders Maya Le Tissier and Sandberg put their bodies on the line during the final minutes to keep the Blues at bay.

Ex- England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis remarked: "They're the first team to prevent Chelsea from winning against Chelsea this season. If they must issue a message to their organization and confirm what Manchester United's ambition is, they've deserved every bit of that."

Result Demonstrates Progress of Developing Manchester United

The major inquiry at the start of the current season - identical that's been asked over the previous six WSL campaigns - is if any team can end Chelsea's supremacy.

The Blues won last term's trophy by going 22 games unbeaten in Sonia Bompastor's first season as manager - part of a domestic treble as they won the Women's FA Cup and League Cup as well.

Actually, it's been more than 500 days since Chelsea previously lost a league game - a four-three defeat at Liverpool on May 1st, 2024.

Manchester United narrowly missed to ending that streak on the weekend in a leading teams encounter and Skinner was impressed of "the most brave performance" from his players.

Skinner stated: "We are building. You can see it, you can feel it. We are frustrated to have not won the game. The chances we created, few teams could produce that against Chelsea. So for us to do that and in the way we accomplished it was credit to them [the players]."

Since their elevation from the Women's Championship in 2019, United have rapidly developed as WSL title challengers, ending up just 2 points behind Chelsea in 2022-23.

The next season they claimed the FA Cup - their inaugural major women's trophy.

Although a draw against the present league frontrunners may be considered a chance not taken for United, former England striker the analyst believed it showed how far the team has progressed.

The pundit remarked: "You have to look at that consistency. They've played eleven times against Chelsea to date and only drawn once, now the second time, so I think it's really positive for their consistency and what they're achieving as a club and a team. It proves it's effective and they're improving."

Questioned if Skinner deserved more recognition for United's rise to challenge with more established clubs, White continued: "What he's done 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 such teams of Chelsea, Arsenal or [Manchester] City have achieved."

How Will This Impact the Championship Battle?

The Blues' perfect start may have ended, but they still stay in first place on 13 points - 2 points ahead of United.

But Skinner said his side's performance at the Progress With Unity Stadium - where Chelsea clinched last season's title - proved the Blues will not have it so straightforward this season.

He added: "It shows to Chelsea they're not simply going to walk the league. We must ensure everyone is providing a contest. I think the league is improving and you witnessed the standard, that we are progressing too."

Chelsea boss Bompastor was "displeased" with Chelsea's performance, but said a draw was "not a bad result at Manchester United".

Asked if United were title contenders, she responded: "There are many teams being real competition for us, every game brings a different challenge. You must be prepared for each game."

City, who were defeated to Chelsea in the season opener, could close the gap on the frontrunners to a single point if they defeat Arsenal at home on Saturday.

Last season's second-place Arsenal, meanwhile, have ground to recover after losing points against both United and Aston Villa, and boss Renee Slegers will be targeting the Gunners' home game against Chelsea on November 8th as a way to get themselves back in the race.