Man Utd Player Ratings: Chelsea Win, Garnacho Struggles
Manchester United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the performance was far from convincing. While the Red Devils ultimately took home the three points, individual performances varied wildly. Here's a breakdown of the player ratings:
Goalkeeper
- David de Gea (7/10): The Spaniard was once again a standout performer, making a crucial save from Raheem Sterling in the first half. His calmness and composure under pressure provided the foundation for the win.
Defenders
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7/10): A solid performance from Wan-Bissaka, who looked more comfortable at right-back than he has in previous games. He provided a threat going forward and was defensively sound.
- Raphael Varane (7/10): The experienced French center-back was a calming presence in the heart of the United defense. He was commanding in the air and crucially intercepted a dangerous Chelsea attack in the second half.
- Lisandro Martinez (7/10): Martinez continued his strong start to the season, displaying his usual tenacity and aggression. He won almost every aerial duel and provided a crucial outlet for United in possession.
- Luke Shaw (6/10): A mixed performance from Shaw. While he was solid defensively, he lacked the attacking spark he has shown in previous weeks.
Midfielders
- Casemiro (8/10): The Brazilian was the standout performer in midfield. He controlled the tempo of the game, broke up attacks with ease, and provided a vital link between defense and attack.
- Christian Eriksen (7/10): A consistent performer, Eriksen linked up well with the attackers and provided a creative outlet. He almost scored a beautiful goal in the second half, but his shot was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
- Bruno Fernandes (6/10): Fernandes had a few bright moments but was unable to influence the game as much as he usually does. His frustration was evident at times, but he still played an important role in the win.
Forwards
- Marcus Rashford (6/10): Rashford played with intensity and had a few promising moments, but his final ball lacked the cutting edge needed to unlock the Chelsea defense.
- Alejandro Garnacho (5/10): A disappointing outing for Garnacho. He looked far off the pace and struggled to make any real impact. He was substituted in the second half.
- Anthony Martial (N/A): The Frenchman came on as a substitute and didn't have enough time to influence the game.
Overall
Manchester United were far from their best against Chelsea, but a well-organized defense and a crucial goal from Casemiro were enough to secure a valuable three points. The performance highlighted the need for more attacking potency, but the victory will provide a much-needed confidence boost going into the upcoming international break.