Manchester United may be encouraged by their 0-0 draw with Chelsea – because they’ll feel bitterly disappointed not to have won the game by quite a margin, let alone by just the one goal they needed.
The Red Devils came out of the blocks at the speed of sound, really piling the pressure on in the opening half an hour, with Juan Mata crashing a wicked effort against the bar in the second minute.
Both goalkeepers were in fine form as there were world-class saves made at both ends, whilst Anthony Martial thumped the post with a shot and Nemanja Matic sent one flying over the bar when it was easier to score.
However, Louis van Gaal’s men are now eight games without a win – so the improved performance isn’t worth as much as it could and probably should have been. Here’s how the players did individually…
David de Gea - 9
It’s not unusual that we see David de Gea spare United from conceding, and he did that with style against Chelsea, clawing an early Terry header away when it looked a certain goal and making a superb double-save later in the game.
Ashley Young - 7
The left-winger who has been turned into a makeshift full-back under Louis van Gaal is usually better in the attacking sense, which comes as no surprise. However, it was his defensive exploits which stood out against Chelsea.
Chris Smalling - 6
Smalling wasn’t really involved in any major tackles, efforts on goal or anything else – but he was fairly solid as we’ve come to expect.
Daley Blind - 7
Blind was struggling to get his corners into the right areas during United’s early pressure but his all-round game was brilliant. One of the engineers of the Red Devils’ brilliant first half.
Matteo Darmian - 6
Much the same as Smalling, he could have been more infleuntial but did a good enough job against the Blues.
Bastian Schweinsteiger - 6
The German will be disappointed not to have tested Thibaut Courtois with his efforts on goal but had a good game in the midfield, linking up well with Herrera in the first half especially. Dropped off in the second but still an accomplished performance.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 7
The better of the holding midfield duo, Schneiderlin got forward to great effect, and almost caught Courtois out with a powerful drive from outside the box. Great to see him back in the side.
Juan Mata - 7
Have you ever seen Juan strike a ball like that? He rattled the crossbar before the 3-minute mark and to United fans that was the sign that their team was really up for the match. A good game from the Spaniard against his former club, he was vibrant and lively.
Ander Herrera - 7
Denied what would have been the winning goal by a ridiculous save from Thibaut Courtois (below), Herrera’s fight and spirit was an embodiment of his side’s improved performance and he was crucial to their sharper attacking moves.
Anthony Martial - 7
Moved to the left flank for this game, Martial was very useful out there and gave Ivanovic a torrid time. Very unlucky not to score when his first-half effort smashed against the post after a clever run into the box.
Wayne Rooney - 8
The United captain was determind to show his true colours today, and that he did, pressurising the Chelsea defence literally from the kickoff. Almost every promising attacking move went through the England international and he looked very bright. It will be heavily argued that he should have scored the winner late-on after a stinging cross from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson presented him with a slight opportunity,which he missed, but a cracking all-round performance.
Substitutes
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – 7
The youngster replaced Matteo Darmian at left-back and spent most of his time on the pitch camped in Chelsea’s half, attacking and defending well from that advanced position.
Memphis Depay – N/A
Phil Jones – N/A
Average - 7.00
Not a bad average rating per player, but it’s not ideal to be happy with that when United really need three points. Will Louis van Gaal last until June 2017? Tweet us your thoughts at @ReadManUtd!