The sight of Manchester United technical director Darren Fletcher fiddling with an earpiece as he stalked his technical area sent the Stamford Bridge conspiracy theorists into overdrive.
If interim manager Michael Carrick and assorted members of United's post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backroom team were within earshot a few feet away, why did Fletcher need another form of communication? And who was he communicating with?
Those gathered on the Bridge's grassy knoll in what was hardly a cauldron of sound had their money on Ralf Rangnick, currently waiting on a work permit before completing his move from Lokomotiv Moscow to Old Trafford to take charge until the end of the season before assuming a "consultancy" role.
Jorginho penalty earns Chelsea draw with Man United
Chelsea 1-1 Man United: As it happened
Of course, the truth will be less exotic and enticing but Rangnick, wherever he is, would no doubt have been watching and making copious notes ahead of trying to impose his style on a team that was allowed to fall into disrepair by Solskjaer before his inevitable dismissal.
Carrick's decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench only added to the intrigue, and how we needed it on an afternoon of freezing temperatures and attritional football that ended honours even following a 1-1 draw.
0 Comments