N’Golo Kante impressed while Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford struggled as Chelsea and Manchester United played out a goalless draw on Sunday.
The first half was a largely cagey affair but Chelsea looked the brighter of the two teams and had a couple of chances that originated through Callum Hudson-Odoi’s bursting runs out wide. At the other end, Manchester United did not do much of note but might consider themselves a bit unfortunate for not being awarded a penalty for a potential handball by Hudson-Odoi.
Post the half-time break, the game opened up slightly as both teams began to take more risks in search of a goal. David de Gea was forced into a fine save by Hakim Ziyech while Edouard Mendy made a good stop to keep Scott McTominay out to keep the scoreline intact.
There was little quality in the final third from both teams as the game petered out to a goalless stalemate, leaving Manchester United 12 points off of leaders Manchester City while Chelsea remain a point below fourth-placed West Ham United. Here’s how we rated the performances of players from both teams after a dull draw.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy: 5.5/10
Not tested at all in the first half. Made a good save to deny McTominay in the second half. Handling needed to be better as he spilt the ball from a Daniel James’ cross and punched a shot almost straight to a United player late on.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7/10
Solid at the back as the Chelsea skipper popped up to make vital blocks and clearances regularly. Looked to make forward runs in the first period but was happy to sit back after the break.
Andreas Christensen: 7/10
Andreas Christensen did not misplace a single pass against Man Utd:
◎ 73 passes attempted
◉ 73 passes completedAnd he won 100% of his duels.? pic.twitter.com/M3ozPms0aX
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 28, 2021
Another assured display from Christensen who appears to be growing in stature and confidence with each passing game. Did well to keep Mason Greenwood quiet.
Antonio Rudiger: 7/10
Steady and solid like the rest of his centre-back partners. The German international allowed very little to get past him on the evening and distributed well when on the ball.
Callum Hudson-Odoi: 6/10
Looked the most likely to make things happen in the first half with his forward runs on the right, with his cross to Olivier Giroud being the highlight. Lucky to not have given away a penalty. Whisked off at half-time with a potential injury as he was spotted with ice on his leg while on the bench.
Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
Worked extremely hard in the middle of the park but the Croatian wasn’t able to offer the drive and thrust from the centre that Chelsea needed. Showed improvements as the game wore on.
N’Golo Kante: 8/10
N'Golo Kanté made more tackles (7) and more interceptions (4) than any other player on the pitch during Chelsea vs Man Utd.
LOOK AT THE HEAT MAP. ? pic.twitter.com/NsoPSxGlzr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 28, 2021
Brought into the side in place of Jorginho, Kante provided Chelsea with security against the dangerous Bruno Fernandes. Made a game-high six tackles and four interceptions highlighting his value in the defensive side of things. Could have been more proactive with his passing though.
Ben Chilwell: 6/10
Preferred ahead of Marcos Alonso, the England international started off in a nervy manner but grew steady as the game wore on. Wasn’t asked a great deal to do defensively while he did not offer much on the offensive side either, although did deliver a fine ball for Ziyech, whose shot was saved.
Hakim Ziyech: 5.5/10
Getting the nod ahead of Timo Werner, the summer signing failed to make the most of his chance. A largely quiet outing for Ziyech apart from the one shot that de Gea saved in the second half.
Mason Mount: 7/10
Mason Mount’s game by numbers vs Man Utd:
70 touches
7 duels won
5 ball recoveries
4 touches in opp. box
4 fouls won
3 crosses
3 shots
2 interceptions
2 take-ons
1 chance createdKeeps getting better. pic.twitter.com/B5m88kPS4e
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 28, 2021
Started off scratchily misplacing a few passes while not being able to find spaces in the final third. Grew with time though and made some lovely driving runs in the second half, although they didn’t lead to a goal.
Olivier Giroud: 5/10
Chelsea’s hero in midweek against Atletico, Giroud was a peripheral figure on Sunday with Manchester United doing well to keep him quiet while he was also starved of service. Could have done better with Hudson-Odoi’s cross in the first half though.
SUBSTITUTES
Reece James: 6/10
Replaced Hudson-Odoi at half-time. Bright as he had a shot blocked by Luke Shaw while he also delivered a fantastic cross which was just about cleared by Victor Lindelof.
Christian Pulisic: 5/10
On for Giroud in the 65th minute. Operated centrally but couldn’t make any impact.
Timo Werner: N/A
Came on for Ziyech with less than 15 minutes left to be played. Didn’t do much of note.
Manchester United
David de Gea: 7/10
Outrageous save by David De Gea! #mufc pic.twitter.com/iu0Tpix4jP
— Terry Flewers (@TFlewers) February 28, 2021
A mishit clearance in the first period caused some nerves but wasn’t punished. Wasn’t called into action much but pulled off a fine stop to deny Ziyech a goal in the second half when he was going in the wrong direction. Made a couple more straightforward stops over the course of the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 5.5/10
Defended diligently for the most part against Ben Chilwell. But the full-back failed to provide any sort of impetus going forward on the right. Needs to do more.
Victor Lindelof: 6.5/10
A mixed bag for the Swede who had some iffy moments, especially in the first half when Giroud almost had a chance. But made a brilliant intervention to divert Reece James’ cross out with Timo Werner waiting to pounce.
Harry Maguire: 6.5/10
Reasonably solid on the evening. Was positive and showed good confidence when carrying the ball out. Booked for a foul on Pulisic in the latter stages of the game.
Luke Shaw: 8/10
Luke Shaw created 3 chances vs. Chelsea — he has created more in the Premier League this season [48] than any other defender and the 7th most among all players.
Taken a huge step forward. ? pic.twitter.com/5YsWEnJfxC
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 28, 2021
Manchester United’s best outfield player on the evening as he constantly got forward and tried to find openings. Reliable defensively as well, with his block to deny Reece James being a standout moment. Finished with three key passes – the most by a United player.
Scott McTominay: 6/10
Surprise starter given that Solskjaer had billed him as a major doubt for the game. Offered his aggression and running in the middle. Should have done better to find a teammate on a late counter, though. Not quite at his best.
Fred: 7/10
Much like Kante in the Chelsea side, the Brazilian worked tirelessly to break up play, managing two tackles and three interceptions. Came close with a curling effort and launched the counterattack with a brilliant pass to McTominay who failed to capitalise.
Daniel James: 5/10
A few positive moments here and there aside, the Welshman did not offer much. Posed problems with his pace but lacked the quality to trouble the hosts.
Bruno Fernandes: 5/10
Bruno Fernandes' game by numbers against Chelsea:
20 x possession lost (most)
4 x dribbled past (joint-most)
1 chance created
0 shots on target
0 take-ons completed— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 28, 2021
Another game against a big team where he has failed to impose his authority. The quality of the final ball was lacking throughout while he was largely well marshaled by Kante & co.
Marcus Rashford: 5/10
Apart from the free-kick that tested Mendy in the first half, the Manchester United No. 10 didn’t offer a great deal of threat in the final third. Did play a couple of key passes but those amounted to little.
Mason Greenwood: 5/10
A quiet outing for the youngster apart from the moment where he linked up well with James to fire a shot just wide. Wasn’t helped by the lack of service. Made way for Anthony Martial.
SUBSTITUTES
Anthony Martial: N/A
On for Greenwood with a little over ten minutes left. Didn’t do much.
