Man Utd-Chelsea Ratings: Forward Line Disappoints in a Dour Draw
The much-anticipated clash between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, with both sides failing to find the back of the net. While the midfield battle was intense and the defenses held firm, the forward lines of both teams were ultimately disappointing, failing to create clear-cut chances and capitalize on their opportunities.
Here’s a breakdown of the individual player ratings:
Manchester United
David de Gea (7/10): A reliable presence as always, De Gea made a few crucial saves to keep Chelsea at bay.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10): Solid defensively, but offered little going forward.
Raphael Varane (7/10): Dominated the air and was a rock at the back.
Lisandro Martinez (7/10): Another strong performance, proving his worth as a center-back.
Luke Shaw (6/10): A mixed bag, with some good moments going forward but also vulnerable defensively.
Casemiro (7/10): The midfield engine, dictating the tempo and winning crucial tackles.
Christian Eriksen (6/10): Neat and tidy in possession, but lacked the spark to unlock the Chelsea defense.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10): Plenty of energy, but his final ball let him down.
Antony (5/10): A frustrating performance, struggling to make an impact and lacking the cutting edge.
Marcus Rashford (5/10): A shadow of his recent self, failing to find his shooting boots and lacking the sharpness in front of goal.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10): Showed some promising moments, but ultimately couldn't make a real difference.
Substitutes:
Scott McTominay (6/10): Brought on for a more defensive approach.
Wout Weghorst (6/10): Added some physicality, but lacked the clinical edge.
Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga (7/10): Made some good saves, especially in the second half.
Reece James (7/10): A constant threat down the right flank, delivering dangerous crosses.
Thiago Silva (7/10): A masterclass in defending, marshaling the backline with experience and composure.
Wesley Fofana (6/10): Solid defensively, but prone to errors in possession.
Ben Chilwell (6/10): A mixed bag, offering some attacking threat but also losing possession cheaply at times.
Enzo Fernandez (7/10): An impressive debut, showcasing his passing range and ability to control the midfield.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10): Energetic in midfield, but lacked the final pass to unlock United's defense.
N'Golo Kante (7/10): A tireless presence in midfield, breaking up play and winning the ball back.
Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10): Showed flashes of his potential, but ultimately failed to make a real impact.
Raheem Sterling (6/10): A constant threat on the counter-attack, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
Kai Havertz (5/10): Struggled to influence the game, failing to find space and getting isolated up front.
Substitutes:
Hakim Ziyech (6/10): Added some flair and creativity, but couldn't find the goal.
Joao Felix (6/10): Offered a different dimension in attack, but lacked the service to make a real impact.
Conclusion:
The draw was a fair result, with both teams canceling each other out for much of the game. While the midfield battle was thrilling, the lackluster performances of the forward lines were the biggest disappointment. Neither team could break down their opponent's defense, resulting in a frustrating draw for both sets of supporters.