Former United winger Anthony Elanga missed the game, with goalkeeper Nick Pope also forced out after a late setback.
At the final whistle, Howe said: "He took a knock against Chelsea. We don't think it is too serious and hope to have him back quickly."
On goalkeeper Nick Pope, the manager also said: "That will be a position that will be discussed. Nick was ill when he was warming up, so I don't think there was any way that he could have played, but we will make an assessment before the next game."
Howe added: "I don't think there was a tactical problem for us at any stage of the game. We are disappointed with the way we defended the goal. Long throws were something we prepared for.
"We are disappointed with our actions in terms of trying to score because we created the chances, put a lot of crosses in their box. The chances were there.
"If we score that equalising goal then that momentum is there with us."