Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof stood out for Manchester United from their dull goalless draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday.
In a game that sorely lacked the cutting edge, chances came few and far between. But, when the openings were created, Manchester United looked the likelier of the two sides to break the deadlock only for Edouard Mendy to thwart the hosts with a number of impressive saves.
On the opposite end, David de Gea hardly had anything to do, with the Manchester United defence neutralising the Chelsea attack superbly. In the end, the elusive goal was never scored as the game petered out to a drab goalless draw. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
David de Gea: 6/10
The easiest outing of the season so far for de Gea, who only had one straightforward save to make in the game. Otherwise, he had more work to do with his feet than with his gloves. Here, the Spanish international appears to be much improved, making better decisions and linking up with his teammates much more accurately.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7/10
A top effort by Wan-Bissaka, who almost entirely negated the influence of Christian Pulisic and Ben Chilwell on Saturday. The young full-back made a number of important challenges in and around the Manchester United box, including an early tackle that stopped Pulisic’s dangerous run. Carried little threat in the final third, losing the ball 20 times.
Victor Lindelof: 7/10
Victor Lindelöf’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
91% pass accuracy
4 ball recoveries
2 clearances
2 dribbles
1 chance created
1 clean sheetA composed performance. ?? pic.twitter.com/vLW9357cdo
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 24, 2020
Keeping his place in the starting lineup ahead of Axel Tuanzebe, Lindelof showed just what he can do when he is at his best. The Swede never let Timo Werner get on top of him and was clever to maneuver the Chelsea striker away from de Gea. Showed a lot of urgency with the ball at his feet and charged up the pitch to add to the numbers in the final third late on.
Harry Maguire: 6/10
Maguire was a little lucky to get away with a penalty call when he grabbed Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta during a set-piece situation. Otherwise, the Manchester United captain had a largely undisturbed outing, wherein he was dominant in the air (5/5 aerial duels won) and cleared every dangerous ball (6 clearances). Looked to set a quick tempo during build-up play.
Luke Shaw: 5/10
Shaw was up against the dangerous Reece James on his flank and was guilty of allowing his compatriot a little too much time and space to whip in dangerous crosses. In fact, if not for Maguire one of those crosses would have found Pulisic.
Was solid at the back otherwise. Going forward, the Englishman was a non-factor for the most part and was often reluctant to overlap and leave space in behind him, much to the frustration of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, who were both seen flailing their arms in exasperation at times. Needs to do better.
Cavani nearly scored with his first touch for Manchester United ?
Skip to 1:07? pic.twitter.com/xVwbTacPLB
— Goal (@goal) October 25, 2020
Fred: 6/10
Stationed in front of the Manchester United backline, Fred saw a lot of the ball and looked to keep things simple, leaving it up to Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata to stitch the more glorious passes. The Brazilian, though, was also sloppy at times, losing the ball in dangerous areas a couple of times while his foul on Kai Havertz was needless. Solid in his defensive duties, however.
Scott McTominay: 6/10
Much like Fred, McTominay was placed in the middle of the park to shield the Manchester United defence, a job he did quite well. The Scotsman seems to have added some enforcing elements to his game, which makes him a reasonably solid option to be the holding midfielder. On the ball, though, he needs to be a little more proactive, if he is to properly displace Nemanja Matic.
Juan Mata: 6/10
Coming on the back of a fantastic showing against Newcastle United last weekend, Mata was the go-to man in the final third oftentimes. However, with Frank Lampard choosing to put men behind the ball, the Spaniard struggled to breach the Chelsea defence but still managed to create 3 chances. One of those who were thwarted by the inspired Edouard Mendy.
Bruno Fernandes: 6/10
Bruno Fernandes has created more chances [18] than any other player in the Premier League.
10 in his last 2 appearances. ? pic.twitter.com/nrRonOXfFV
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 24, 2020
Yet again, Bruno Fernandes was the most involved player in the game for Manchester United. The Portuguese international played 4 key passes and looked like the best bet to create an opening for his side. Also put in a shift off the ball, winning the ball back quickly at times. Shunted to the right for around 20 minutes upon the introduction of Pogba, which rendered him anonymous.
Daniel James: 4/10
Given another chance to impress in the absence of Anthony Martial, this was James’s opportunity to stake claim for a more regular role. However, the Welshman squandered it, in what was a poor display from him. While James did not shy away from taking on the Chelsea defenders, he almost always lost the ball when he did attempt to be direct. Horrible, apart from the 1 chance he created.
Marcus Rashford: 6/10
If Bruno Fernandes was likely to be the man to create a big chance, Rashford was the odds-on favourite to be at the end of one. The Englishman, who came into the match on the back of back-to-back difference making performances, did test Mendy a couple of times, only to see the Chelsea goalkeeper make two brilliant saves to deny him. Positive signs, nonetheless.
SUBSTITUTES
Paul Pogba: 6/10
On for Mata, Pogba was hoping to make an impact in a similar fashion as he did against PSG earlier in the week. This time around, though, there was little space to exploit for the Frenchman, although he did show some nice touches. Misplaced just three passes. Could be back in the next game.
Edinson Cavani: 6/10
Cavani nearly scored with his first touch for Manchester United ?
Skip to 1:07? pic.twitter.com/xVwbTacPLB
— Goal (@goal) October 25, 2020
Making his Manchester United bow, Cavani nearly had a debut to remember when he found the side netting with his first touch. Showed superb movement off the ball and had another half chance, blocked this time by former teammate Thiago Silva. Promising signs.
Mason Greenwood: N/A
Introduced with 10 minutes left, Greenwood provided the injection of energy Manchester United needed late on. Created a chance for Cavani and showed some nice touches. Alas, he could not make a difference in the end.
