Robin van Persie rescued a point deep into injury time as United held league leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford. It was the least United deserved after a much improved performance, although Didier Drogba threatened to make them pay for a string of missed opportunities.
United were the better team in the first half and, but for Chelsea keeper Courtois and some sloppy finishing, could have been out of sight by half time.
The home side had the clearest chance early as they broke clear, but van Persie's effort was blocked.
Moments later Mata found Di Maria with a beautifully disguised pass, but the Argentine was unable to keep his effort down.
United were pressing Chelsea in possession, giving them little time on the ball as they looked to stop the likes of Hazard from causing damage, whilst the Red Devils were energetic in attack, looking to break at speed.
Chelsea, with so many big men in their side, looked dangerous from set pieces, United struggling to defend a series of corners whipped in by Fabregas.
It was a sign of things to come later in the game, as United struggled to come to terms with Chelsea’s height and physicality from set plays.
United had subdued Chelsea for the first 20 minutes and should have taken the lead as Januzaj threaded a ball through to Robin van Persie, but the Dutchman couldn't find a way past Courtois, who had closed the space.
Van Persie then got his head to a ball which had the Chelsea keeper scrambling to reach it as the game started to open up.
Hazard was causing the right side of United's defence some problems, with Rafael already sitting on a yellow card.
The Belgian winger was jinking his way around the pitch in dangerous areas for the United defence, but the Red Devils were defending in numbers and frustrating Chelsea by snuffing out the danger.
Fabregas curled a free kick from the left which evaded everyone and drifted just wide as United rode their luck at the back.
Despite the danger of Chelsea's approach play they had failed to test de Gea at all in the first 40 minutes, but Oscar found Drogba unmarked on the edge of the area and his shot was well kept out by the legs of the United keeper.
Januzaj shot off target after taking on Ivanovic and then drew a free kick from the Serbian, but Mata smashed well over after being well found on the penalty spot.
United would have gone in at half time hoping their profligacy in front of goal did not come back to haunt them, sure in the knowledge that Mourinho would tweak his system during the break to get the most of his side.
It was Chelsea who made a stronger start to the second half, but United were again able to get enough men around the ball to snuff out any danger.
At the other end Fellaini sliced wide from the edge of the area as United probed for an opening.
Hazard should have put Chelsea ahead as he broke through the United defence, only to be denied by a world class save by de Gea, the United keeper anticipating brilliantly to make a low save to his right.
The Blues were not to be denied though, as Drogba found space to head the resulting corner into the net to open the scoring.
Willian tested de Gea's handling skills from distance as Chelsea continued to dominate and threatened to take the game away from United.
The away side were happy to take the sting out of the game with their possession play, United failing to find the same tempo as they had during the first half.
Mourinho looked to protect his side's advantage as he replaced the more attacking Oscar with Mikel, whilst United brought James Wilson on for Mata as van Gaal went for two up front in search of an equaliser.
Ivanovic skipped past a couple of tackles before drilling it across goal as Mourinho's men looked to take advantage of a tiring United side, whilst Willian curled wide from the edge of the area.
Van Persie tested Courtois again after being well found by Shaw, but the Chelsea keeper stretched out a long leg to deny the Dutchman.
Wilson almost turned a Rafael cross into the far corner with a looping header as United tried to find a way back into the game as the clock ticked down.
Di Maria hit an effort from distance which Courtois got behind in injury time, whilst Ivanovic saw red for a second yellow card after a late foul on the Argentine international.
The tricky winger took the free kick and, after Fellaini's header was well saved by Courtois, van Persie was in the right place at the right time to smash the ball home to rescue a point.
United will reflect on missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, but deservedly came away with a point and will go into next week's derby against City with renewed spirit.
Written by Andrew
United were the better team in the first half and, but for Chelsea keeper Courtois and some sloppy finishing, could have been out of sight by half time.
The home side had the clearest chance early as they broke clear, but van Persie's effort was blocked.
Moments later Mata found Di Maria with a beautifully disguised pass, but the Argentine was unable to keep his effort down.
United were pressing Chelsea in possession, giving them little time on the ball as they looked to stop the likes of Hazard from causing damage, whilst the Red Devils were energetic in attack, looking to break at speed.
Chelsea, with so many big men in their side, looked dangerous from set pieces, United struggling to defend a series of corners whipped in by Fabregas.
It was a sign of things to come later in the game, as United struggled to come to terms with Chelsea’s height and physicality from set plays.
United had subdued Chelsea for the first 20 minutes and should have taken the lead as Januzaj threaded a ball through to Robin van Persie, but the Dutchman couldn't find a way past Courtois, who had closed the space.
Van Persie then got his head to a ball which had the Chelsea keeper scrambling to reach it as the game started to open up.
Hazard was causing the right side of United's defence some problems, with Rafael already sitting on a yellow card.
The Belgian winger was jinking his way around the pitch in dangerous areas for the United defence, but the Red Devils were defending in numbers and frustrating Chelsea by snuffing out the danger.
Fabregas curled a free kick from the left which evaded everyone and drifted just wide as United rode their luck at the back.
Despite the danger of Chelsea's approach play they had failed to test de Gea at all in the first 40 minutes, but Oscar found Drogba unmarked on the edge of the area and his shot was well kept out by the legs of the United keeper.
Januzaj shot off target after taking on Ivanovic and then drew a free kick from the Serbian, but Mata smashed well over after being well found on the penalty spot.
United would have gone in at half time hoping their profligacy in front of goal did not come back to haunt them, sure in the knowledge that Mourinho would tweak his system during the break to get the most of his side.
It was Chelsea who made a stronger start to the second half, but United were again able to get enough men around the ball to snuff out any danger.
At the other end Fellaini sliced wide from the edge of the area as United probed for an opening.
Hazard should have put Chelsea ahead as he broke through the United defence, only to be denied by a world class save by de Gea, the United keeper anticipating brilliantly to make a low save to his right.
The Blues were not to be denied though, as Drogba found space to head the resulting corner into the net to open the scoring.
Willian tested de Gea's handling skills from distance as Chelsea continued to dominate and threatened to take the game away from United.
The away side were happy to take the sting out of the game with their possession play, United failing to find the same tempo as they had during the first half.
Mourinho looked to protect his side's advantage as he replaced the more attacking Oscar with Mikel, whilst United brought James Wilson on for Mata as van Gaal went for two up front in search of an equaliser.
Ivanovic skipped past a couple of tackles before drilling it across goal as Mourinho's men looked to take advantage of a tiring United side, whilst Willian curled wide from the edge of the area.
Van Persie tested Courtois again after being well found by Shaw, but the Chelsea keeper stretched out a long leg to deny the Dutchman.
Wilson almost turned a Rafael cross into the far corner with a looping header as United tried to find a way back into the game as the clock ticked down.
Di Maria hit an effort from distance which Courtois got behind in injury time, whilst Ivanovic saw red for a second yellow card after a late foul on the Argentine international.
The tricky winger took the free kick and, after Fellaini's header was well saved by Courtois, van Persie was in the right place at the right time to smash the ball home to rescue a point.
United will reflect on missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, but deservedly came away with a point and will go into next week's derby against City with renewed spirit.
Written by Andrew