A brace from Marcus Rashford and further goals from Anthony Martial and Daniel James condemned the Blues to defeat on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, though our Spanish skipper felt there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic despite the scoreline.

The visitors were sharper and showed more energy than United throughout a bright first half, while we finished the game with more possession and more chances created. However, the hosts were clinical in front of goal and defensive lapses in our own box were punished to maximum effect.

‘We’re obviously very disappointed with the result because we controlled the game, especially in the first half, and created a lot of chances but we couldn’t score,’ Azpilicueta said.

‘It’s a tough scoreline to take but we weren’t clinical in the boxes and after we conceded two goals in two minutes, things were more difficult for us.

‘From that point, we were more open and gave them more spaces, they got more confidence and at the end we got a tough result. We deserved more but it is what it is and we have to move on.’

With our youngest average Premier League starting age for many years, Frank Lampard handed opportunities to the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount following positive pre-seasons from the duo. It was ultimately a baptism of fire but Azpilicueta insists it is the right approach to embed our young talent into the side at this stage.

‘We trust in them and they are here because they deserve to be here,’ he continued. ‘They are fighting in every training session and now we have a massive opportunity to create a fantastic group. Everyone would like to start the season in a better way but we have to learn from every game and come back stronger.’

Attention quickly turns to our midweek exertions and the annual European curtain-raiser between the Champions League and Europa League winners. Liverpool await in Istanbul and Azpilicueta knows we will have to learn our lessons from Manchester quickly as we prepare to take on Jurgen Klopp’s side.

‘Chelsea always fights for everything so when we don’t win then we know there will be more and more questions around us but we have to cope with it,' added the defender.

'We have to learn from the game, we know that we can improve and we have to take our responsibilities. There is a trophy to fight for on Wednesday against a good team so we have to be ready for it.’

READ: FRANK LAMPARD'S VERDICT FROM OLD TRAFFORD