• CHELSEA RATINGS: Eduoard Mendy - 5: Punched away Rashford free-kick after 14 minutes when he should have caught it. Was the hour mark before had to make another serious save, a decent block from a McTominay shot despite a crowded box in front of the Senegalese goalkeeper. Spilled simple James ball into middle in last quarter-of-an-hour, but recovered to gather quickly. Can look very unconvincing on crosses. AP
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Eduoard Mendy - 5: Punched away Rashford free-kick after 14 minutes when he should have caught it. Was the hour mark before had to make another serious save, a decent block from a McTominay shot despite a crowded box in front of the Senegalese goalkeeper. Spilled simple James ball into middle in last quarter-of-an-hour, but recovered to gather quickly. Can look very unconvincing on crosses. AP
  • Antonio Rudiger - 8: Surging 40-metre run with ball down left in first five minutes in sign of early Chelsea intent. Brilliant turn and switch of play out to Hudson-Odoi on right in move that almost saw Giroud head home. Strong defensively as well. AFP
    Antonio Rudiger - 8: Surging 40-metre run with ball down left in first five minutes in sign of early Chelsea intent. Brilliant turn and switch of play out to Hudson-Odoi on right in move that almost saw Giroud head home. Strong defensively as well. AFP
  • Andreas Christensen - 7: Strolled through first half when United’s attacking threat was minimal and while had a little bit more to do after half-time, never really looked in trouble. Reuters
    Andreas Christensen - 7: Strolled through first half when United’s attacking threat was minimal and while had a little bit more to do after half-time, never really looked in trouble. Reuters
  • Cesar Azpilcueta - 7: Fine supporting run down right followed by lay-off to set-up chance for Hudson-Odoi in first half. Like rest of Blues back three, very solid performance. Getty
    Cesar Azpilcueta - 7: Fine supporting run down right followed by lay-off to set-up chance for Hudson-Odoi in first half. Like rest of Blues back three, very solid performance. Getty
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi - 7: Nervy moment quarter-of-an-hour in when ball hit his hand in box but referee Stuart Attwell decided no penalty after checking out pitch-side monitor. Volleyed just wide of target with decent effrt five minutes later after exchanging passes with Azpilcueta. Fine ball into box centimetres from Giroud’s head. Forced off at half-time due to injury. EPA
    Callum Hudson-Odoi - 7: Nervy moment quarter-of-an-hour in when ball hit his hand in box but referee Stuart Attwell decided no penalty after checking out pitch-side monitor. Volleyed just wide of target with decent effrt five minutes later after exchanging passes with Azpilcueta. Fine ball into box centimetres from Giroud’s head. Forced off at half-time due to injury. EPA
  • N’Golo Kante - 8: Started ahead of Jorginho to keep close tabs on United dangerman Fernandes. Good block on Portuguese’s long range effort just before half-time. Stole another chance off laces of Rashford minutes later. Frenchman is a monster at breaking up play. AP
    N’Golo Kante - 8: Started ahead of Jorginho to keep close tabs on United dangerman Fernandes. Good block on Portuguese’s long range effort just before half-time. Stole another chance off laces of Rashford minutes later. Frenchman is a monster at breaking up play. AP
  • Mateo Kovacic - 8: Read play really well in a congested middle of the park and, as usual, kept things simple and covers ground so quickly. Curled a couple of weak efforts straight at De Gea in second half. AFP
    Mateo Kovacic - 8: Read play really well in a congested middle of the park and, as usual, kept things simple and covers ground so quickly. Curled a couple of weak efforts straight at De Gea in second half. AFP
  • Ben Chilwell - 7: Replaced Alonso at left-back and looked to get forward from first minute. Lots of surging runs down left and one of those, followed by good cut-back at start of second half, set-up Ziyech for great chance to open scoring. Booked for rash lunge on Greenwood. Reuters
    Ben Chilwell - 7: Replaced Alonso at left-back and looked to get forward from first minute. Lots of surging runs down left and one of those, followed by good cut-back at start of second half, set-up Ziyech for great chance to open scoring. Booked for rash lunge on Greenwood. Reuters
  • Hakim Ziyech - 5: In starting line-up ahead of Werner as Tuchel gives German “a little break” and had Chelsea’s first shot on target – a weak effort straight at De Gea. A comically bad pass out for throw-in where he thought Hudson-Odoi should be and one or two other sloppy moments in possession. Better after half-time without ever looking particularly dangerous although was denied goal when shot was well saved by De Gea a couple of minutes into second half. Reuters
    Hakim Ziyech - 5: In starting line-up ahead of Werner as Tuchel gives German “a little break” and had Chelsea’s first shot on target – a weak effort straight at De Gea. A comically bad pass out for throw-in where he thought Hudson-Odoi should be and one or two other sloppy moments in possession. Better after half-time without ever looking particularly dangerous although was denied goal when shot was well saved by De Gea a couple of minutes into second half. Reuters
  • Mason Mount - 7: Relentless running and pressing which would delight his manager. Excellent driving run into United box just after hour mark needed last-ditch challenge by McTominay to prevent shot on goal. Chelsea’s main attacking threat in second half. AP
    Mason Mount - 7: Relentless running and pressing which would delight his manager. Excellent driving run into United box just after hour mark needed last-ditch challenge by McTominay to prevent shot on goal. Chelsea’s main attacking threat in second half. AP
  • Olivier Giroud - 5: Failed to take advantage of dire De Gea kick out when French attacker rashly smashed high and wide with finish that had his manager calling for more composure. Very close to getting head on end of perfect Hudson-Odoi cross after 35 minutes but could only crash into post rather than ball. Midweek hero against Atletico Madrid was taken off with 25 minutes to go here. EPA
    Olivier Giroud - 5: Failed to take advantage of dire De Gea kick out when French attacker rashly smashed high and wide with finish that had his manager calling for more composure. Very close to getting head on end of perfect Hudson-Odoi cross after 35 minutes but could only crash into post rather than ball. Midweek hero against Atletico Madrid was taken off with 25 minutes to go here. EPA
  • SUBS: Reece James – (On for Hudson-Odoi 46’) 6: Given long talking to by Tuchel on sideline before coming on. Manager will have been disappointed, though, as James failed to offer same attacking danger down right as man he replaced, until last 10 minutes when one fine cross into middle nearly found Werner. Reuters
    SUBS: Reece James – (On for Hudson-Odoi 46’) 6: Given long talking to by Tuchel on sideline before coming on. Manager will have been disappointed, though, as James failed to offer same attacking danger down right as man he replaced, until last 10 minutes when one fine cross into middle nearly found Werner. Reuters
  • Christian Pulisic – (On for Giroud 65’) 6: Lovely touch drew foul out of Maguire that earned United captain yellow card. Skied one chance over bar when allowed time to shoot by United’s defence. EPA
    Christian Pulisic – (On for Giroud 65’) 6: Lovely touch drew foul out of Maguire that earned United captain yellow card. Skied one chance over bar when allowed time to shoot by United’s defence. EPA
  • Timo Werner – (On for Ziyech 78’) N/A. One tame shot straight at De Gea from tight angle and failed to get on end of great James cross after Lindelof interception. Reuters
    Timo Werner – (On for Ziyech 78’) N/A. One tame shot straight at De Gea from tight angle and failed to get on end of great James cross after Lindelof interception. Reuters
  • MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 7: Barely tested in the first half, but was lucky not to be punished by Giroud when his miss-kick landed straight at Frenchman's feet in first half. Smart save with his arm from Ziyech just after half-time. AP
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 7: Barely tested in the first half, but was lucky not to be punished by Giroud when his miss-kick landed straight at Frenchman's feet in first half. Smart save with his arm from Ziyech just after half-time. AP
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5: Pushed right up but clunky in challenges and conceded possession. Should have got back quicker for chance which led to Ziyech shot, but pulled ball back to set up McTominay on hour mark. Reuters
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5: Pushed right up but clunky in challenges and conceded possession. Should have got back quicker for chance which led to Ziyech shot, but pulled ball back to set up McTominay on hour mark. Reuters
  • Victor Lindelof - 7: One quality long pass towards the corner which was picked up by Shaw. More advanced than usual, but stretched by crosses from Hudson-Odoi towards Giroud in first half. Blocked one Kante shot and produced outstanding clearance to get in ahead of Werner in last 10 minutes.
    Victor Lindelof - 7: One quality long pass towards the corner which was picked up by Shaw. More advanced than usual, but stretched by crosses from Hudson-Odoi towards Giroud in first half. Blocked one Kante shot and produced outstanding clearance to get in ahead of Werner in last 10 minutes.
  • Harry Maguire - 6: Played very high against Chelsea and the less than rapid Giroud. Booked for a needless challenge with 12 minutes left against Pulisic in what is now the fourth successive 0-0 against a top team. Maguire needs to lead them to a win soon. PA
    Harry Maguire - 6: Played very high against Chelsea and the less than rapid Giroud. Booked for a needless challenge with 12 minutes left against Pulisic in what is now the fourth successive 0-0 against a top team. Maguire needs to lead them to a win soon. PA
  • Luke Shaw - 7: Like Wan Bissaka, pushed up even higher than the central pair. Dangerous towards end of first half and important block in second. Reuters
    Luke Shaw - 7: Like Wan Bissaka, pushed up even higher than the central pair. Dangerous towards end of first half and important block in second. Reuters
  • Scott McTominay - 6: Back from injury and rusty in opening exchanges, but, like his team, settled towards the end of the first half. Struck decent shot on the hour as United came alive after a period of Chelsea pressure. Blocked a fine Mount solo attack and protected defence well. Reuters
    Scott McTominay - 6: Back from injury and rusty in opening exchanges, but, like his team, settled towards the end of the first half. Struck decent shot on the hour as United came alive after a period of Chelsea pressure. Blocked a fine Mount solo attack and protected defence well. Reuters
  • Fred - 6: Combative performance. Neat passing in the middle. Tried step over as he ran towards goal, but few expect a goal when Fred goes towards it. Booked for a heavy challenge on Mount. Decent curling shot wide on 67 minutes ... he’s getting closer. AFP
    Fred - 6: Combative performance. Neat passing in the middle. Tried step over as he ran towards goal, but few expect a goal when Fred goes towards it. Booked for a heavy challenge on Mount. Decent curling shot wide on 67 minutes ... he’s getting closer. AFP
  • Daniel James - 6: Limped off against Real Sociedad but in-form and deserved selection. One good cross was the highlight of his first half. Neat interplay with Greenwood to set him up with chance and did so again with a super low cross after 75 minutes. AP.
    Daniel James - 6: Limped off against Real Sociedad but in-form and deserved selection. One good cross was the highlight of his first half. Neat interplay with Greenwood to set him up with chance and did so again with a super low cross after 75 minutes. AP.
  • Bruno Fernandes - 6 Talked up by Tuchel pre-match but struggled to make an impact and gave possession away a couple of times in the first half. Headed ball towards Rashford at end of lively, entertaining opening 45 minutes where United grew stronger. Took frustrations out on referee but was his own final passes were poor. Needs to stand out more against the best but he’s been at club for more than a year and still unbeaten away from home in the league. PA
    Bruno Fernandes - 6 Talked up by Tuchel pre-match but struggled to make an impact and gave possession away a couple of times in the first half. Headed ball towards Rashford at end of lively, entertaining opening 45 minutes where United grew stronger. Took frustrations out on referee but was his own final passes were poor. Needs to stand out more against the best but he’s been at club for more than a year and still unbeaten away from home in the league. PA
  • Marcus Rashford - 6 - Early free-kick hit target from distance, but limited until end of the first half when was more effective on left with Shaw. Good ball to Greenwood on 51. Weak shot on goal just after hour. EPA
    Marcus Rashford - 6 - Early free-kick hit target from distance, but limited until end of the first half when was more effective on left with Shaw. Good ball to Greenwood on 51. Weak shot on goal just after hour. EPA
  • Mason Greenwood - 5: The main striker in a 4-2-3-1 but, aside from the controversial penalty rejection in the first half, ploughed a lonely furrow. Neat move with James for 59th minute shot on goal was his best effort of game. EPA
    Mason Greenwood - 5: The main striker in a 4-2-3-1 but, aside from the controversial penalty rejection in the first half, ploughed a lonely furrow. Neat move with James for 59th minute shot on goal was his best effort of game. EPA
  • Anthony Martial - (On for Greenwood 77') NA. Out of form striker couldn’t break the stalemate. EPA
    Anthony Martial - (On for Greenwood 77') NA. Out of form striker couldn’t break the stalemate. EPA

Football

Chelsea v Manchester United player ratings: N'Golo Kante 8; Olivier Giroud 5; Bruno Fernandes 6, Mason Greenwood 5

Stalemate at Stamford Bridge as United lose more ground on Premier League leaders City

Andy Mitten
Gareth Cox
Barcelona and Manchester

February 28, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United and Chelsea played out a second 0-0 draw of the season on Sunday with the result doing little for either side's ambitions at the top of the Premier League.

Second-placed United now trail runaway leaders Manchester City by 12 points, while Chelsea remain a point outside the top four in fifth.

Neither side did enough to deserve all three points in a game of few chances, although United will claim they should have had a first-half penalty for a handball by Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten in nine games since replacing the sacked Frank Lampard, but a lack of firepower that has been a problem in the German's short reign so far was in evidence again for the Blues.

Tuchel's decision to play Hakim Ziyech and Mason Mount close to Olivier Giroud in attack left the hosts without the width to cause United problems and Chelsea only looked likely to make the breakthrough once Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner came off the bench in the final quarter.

Hudson-Odoi inadvertently caught the ball with his arm and was lucky to escape a VAR review for a penalty.

Giroud then just failed to meet a teasing Hudson-Odoi cross at the other end with Chelsea's best moment of the first-half.

Edouard Mendy did well to save Scott McTominay's low shot early in the second-half and nervously parried Fred's piledriver in stoppage time.

Manchester United