Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed that a full Old Trafford may have prevented Chelsea from claiming a point in Saturday's goalless draw.
Neither set of players managed to break the deadlock in a match played, like all other Premier League fixtures so far this season, in the absence of supporters.
"If we’d had that stadium and the Stretford End full, we could have created more pressure and more urgency because that was lacking," Solskjaer said.
"You’re here watching the game and it’s a different sport, and with the fans here they help you. We miss them, we have to say.
"It's the same for all teams, but I think everyone agrees football is a little bit less, the edge has gone. I can’t wait to get the fans back."
Speaking after the final whistle, Solskjaer praised his side's efforts against a resolute Chelsea side.
"You have a clean sheet, you have some pressure, you’ve stopped the home run of defeats," he added
"You want to win it, of course you want to win a game of football at home, but I think it’s a solid performance when you think of the week we’ve had. We’ve had a very big week with two wins and a draw."
Thiago Silva was a standout player in Chelsea's defence, catching the eye with some impressive distribution, and Solskjaer admitted that the Blues proved difficult to break down despite their defensive woes this season.
"Every team has got their own different ways. That system with the three forwards narrow and the three centre-backs, that’s always hard to play against," he said.
"They played well. They played it against us last season in the FA Cup and beat us. But today I thought we were the closest to winning the game."
Edinson Cavani almost scored with his first touch in a United shirt, diverting a Luke Shaw cross into the side-netting shortly after coming off the bench.
He was introduced with half an hour remaining in place of Daniel James to make his United debut following his deadline day move on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
"A nice little run towards the near post, a nice little flick," said United's Norwegian boss on Cavani's chance. "He almost had another one when Thiago Silva had a great block - that would have been great for him."
