Manchester United Player Ratings: Disappointment abounds as United fall to Chelsea
In what was a must-win game, Manchester United failed to impress as they fell to Chelsea 1-0 Sunday.
Manchester United still sit at 23 points, 8 points off of league-leaders Manchester City, while Tottenham are also even at 23 points but behind on goal difference.
Manchester United couldn’t muster anything offensively with Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford leading the line. While defensively a Phil Jones error led to Alvaro Morata’s winner.
The Red Devils continue to miss star midfielder Paul Pogba, as Mourinho’s 3-5-2 formation was overran by Conte’s Chelsea side. Nemanja Matic was one of the lone bright spots for the team, and Rashford and Lukaku were starved of service for a majority of the match.
This wasn’t how United wanted to head into the international break and Mourinho will have his hands full trying to figure out what has happened to his team.
Player Ratings
GK David de Gea, 8 — The Spaniard made excellent saves to deny Eden Hazard in both halves. Was helpless to stop Morata’s opening goal.
DF Eric Bailly, 6 — The Ivory Coast international had a decent afternoon. Pushed forward to help an overrun midfield.
DF Phil Jones, 5 — Jones struggled this afternoon. His poor movement left Morata wide-open in the box for the lone goal.
DF Chris Smalling, 5.5 — In the same boat as Bailly. Defended well at times, but was also exposed by Chelsea in the final third.
MF Antonio Valencia, 6 — Never afraid to get forward, Valencia couldn’t help the attack as United failed to put anything together on the afternoon.
MF Nemanja Matic, 6 — In his return to Stamford Bridge, the Serbian was one of the few bright spots for United. Was calm in possession, but didn’t have the support to start attacks.
MF Henrik Mkhitaryan, 4.5 — The Armenian was invisible in the first half and it didn’t improve in the second half. Subbed off in the 62′ minute.
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MF Ander Herrera, 6 — A man who usually rises to the occasion, Herrera just couldn’t impact this match like he did last April. His physicality was there, but the passses weren’t.
MF Ashely Young, 6 — Manchester United’s lack of possession meant that Young couldn’t get forward as often. Worked hard throughout the match. Replaced by Lingard in the 78th minute.
FW Marcus Rashford, 5.5 — Had an early chance but put his point-blank header wide. Struggled without service for most of the match. Last-minute free-kick came agonizingly close to going in.
FW Romelu Lukaku, 5 — Lukaku had an early rocket saved by Courtois in the first half. Struggled to make an impact as he went yet another match without proper service for a striker of his calibre.
Substitutes
FW Martial, 5.5 — On for Mkhi in the 62′, the Frenchman couldn’t replicate last weekend’s magic.
MF Marouane Fellaini, 6, — The towering midfielder made his return to the side and came on for Jones in the 62′. Was a target man in the box and nearly scored twice.
MF Jesse Lingard, NR — Brought on for Young to help provide more attacking options. Didn’t have time to get involved.
Next: Anthony Martial: Manchester United’s Player of the Month for October
Worst-case scenario for Manchester United with the loss to Chelsea. There’s a lot of work to do if they are to push City for the title, but it looks as if they might have to be content to battle for second place.