Manchester United vs Chelsea - Player Ratings
Photo Credit: Evening Standard
Finally, after all the rumours, speculation, ins, outs, hashtags and cancelled phone-ins, Matchweek One of the 2019/20 Premier League got underway at Old Trafford. For us fans, the questions today centred around the starting line-up and whether Maguire could comfortably walk into the first team with no pre-season, which version of Pogba would turn up, and who would score the goals in Lukaku's absence. All of those questions and more were answered, which left the red two-thirds of Manchester ecstatic, for this week at least.
Player Ratings
David de Gea: 8
Effective when called upon. Not at fault for the two shots that hit the post, commanded his area well and dealt superbly with Chelsea's long range efforts. There is no doubt that his confidence has been bolstered by United's new look back line.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 9
Not a technically flawless display, but for a 21 year old making his full debut in a game of this magnitude he was simply awesome. £50 million seemed a lot of money a few weeks ago; not anymore.
Harry Maguire: 9
A rock in the United defence and one that broke up many waves of Chelsea attacks. Solid and commanding in defence, with just a hint of his prowess going forward. There is clearly more to come and I can't wait to see it.
Victor Lindelof: 7
Struggled at times in the first half but grew in confidence. Having Maguire by his side has definitely given him more authority. A promising partnership is arising.
Luke Shaw: 5
Last year's Player of the Season was today's least effective participant. The weak link which Chelsea exploited to great effect, particularly in the first half.
Paul Pogba: 8
At times apparently uninterested and lethargic, yet when the mood took him he was unplayable. The pass for Rashford's second was sublime and is unlikely to be bettered this season. Forget the new signings, keeping Pogba will be the difference for United this season.
Scott McTominay: 5
Anonymous and ineffective for much of the game. He's still young and has much to learn so we should expect the occasional non-performance. I'm certain he will be better next time.
Andreas Pereira: 6
Other than the assist for Martial's goal he did relatively little. In his defence he was played out of position, although when he is played in position there are still question marks.
Jesse Lingard: 7
Grew into the contest, looked calm and composed when the midfield were in danger of being overrun. Good, but not great. His quietly accrued experience is gradually improving his all around game.
Marcus Rashford: 8
Until the penalty Rashford was largely invisible, however he took the spotkick brilliantly. From then on he showed more of the prodigious talent which has lit up Old Trafford on numerous occasions. He took his second superbly.
Anthony Martial: 7
United's new number 9 showed flashes of his undoubted ability. He showed more desire than the Chelsea back line when scoring his goal but went missing for parts of the game.
Subs
Daniel James: 8
The speed and awareness James showed when Pogba instigated the attack which led to his goal was terrific. It won't be like this for him every game, which made his goal celebration all the more special.
Juan Mata: 6
The game was won by the time he took the field so wasn't required to contribute.
Mason Greenwood: 6
Got the fans on their feet but didn't have enough time to make an impact.
MAN OF THE MATCH: HARRY MAGUIRE
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