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Manchester United logo
Premier League
Dec 28, 2015 at 5.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

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Player Ratings: Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea

Sports Mole looks at who stood out during the goalless draw between Manchester United and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United made it eight games without a win this evening as they were held to a goalless draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The hosts hit the woodwork twice in the first half but, despite both sides creating clear-cut chances, neither could break the deadlock as the pressure remained on the shoulders of Louis van Gaal.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out over the course of the 90 minutes.


Ander Hererra reacts to a missed chance during the game between Manchester United and Chelsea on December 28, 2015© Getty Images

MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: Made a number of brilliant saves to keep Chelsea at bay, denying Terry, Pedro and Azpilicueta with particularly good stops. (8/10)

Defence

Ashley Young: His final ball was hugely disappointing, but he defended very well and was always a decent outlet going forward, even if he didn't make the most of that. (7/10)

Chris Smalling: Wasn't tested all too often as Chelsea settled for attacks that were few and far between, but defended well when he was called upon. (7/10)

Daley Blind: His distribution from the back continues to be a strength for United, while there was no big centre-forward to take advantage of his defensive frailties today. (6/10)

Matteo Darmian: Defended one Chelsea break terribly to allow Matic a sitter, but on the whole had a solid game. (6/10)

Midfield

Morgan Schneiderlin: Broke up a number of attacks, although not always legally. Helped to limit the influence of Oscar, Willian and co. (6/10)

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Helped United to control the majority of the ball and kept the tempo higher than it has been at other times this season. (6/10)

Juan Mata: Rattled the crossbar with an effort in the opening stages and was a threat for United throughout the opening 45 minutes before fading in the second half. (7/10)

Ander Herrera: Put his foot in on a number of occasions and helped United to dominate in the first half. Missed a glorious chance in the second half when he was denied by Courtois, though. (6/10)

Anthony Martial: Hit the post having cut in from the left and was a threat down that flank all through the first half. He faded a little in the second half, but still gave Ivanovic a difficult time of things. (7/10)

Attack

Wayne Rooney: One of his better performances this season. Set up Mata to hit the bar early on and tested Courtois himself with a long-range drive. More like his old self. (7/10)

Substitutes

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson: Whipped a peach of a delivery to Rooney at the back post late on, but the skipper could not keep his volley down. (6/10)

Memphis Depay: Brought on for the final 13 minutes but failed to make an impact during his short cameo. (6/10)

Phil Jones: Handed the final nine minutes, but isn't the type of player who will pop up with a winning goal. (6/10)


Guus Hiddink has a natter with Eden Hazard during the game between Manchester United and Chelsea on December 28, 2015© Getty Images

CHELSEA

Goal

Thibaut Courtois: Made a stunning save to deny Herrera from point-blank range, and also kept out a fierce drive from Rooney in the first half. Was saved by the woodwork with two efforts, though. (7/10)

Defence

Branislav Ivanovic: Was beaten time and time again by Martial. Never got to grips with the United man and suffered a torrid evening as a result. (4/10)

Kurt Zouma: Showed great pace and strength to cope with United's attacking threats and help keep the home side at bay. (7/10)

John Terry: Tested De Gea with a powerful header early on and carried out his defensive duties to perfection at the other end too, despite his teammates leaving him exposed at times. (7/10)

Cesar Azpilicueta: Another who struggled defensively at times, but he grew into the game and almost got his name on the scoresheet too. (6/10)

Midfield

John Obi Mikel: Provided some decent protection for his back four on the most part, doing the job that Hiddink asked of him. (6/10)

Nemanja Matic: Was more like his old self when it came to his defensive duties, but spurned a glorious chance to win the match when blazing high and wide with only De Gea to beat. (6/10)

Willian: Chelsea's best player this season, but this was not his best performance. He struggled to get involved, and even his deliveries from set pieces were disappointing. (5/10)

Oscar: Another who never really made a major impact on the match. Was forced to do more defending than he is used to and didn't trouble United's defence often enough. (5/10)

Pedro: Was denied by Dea Gea in the second half and asked more questions of the United defence than any of the other Chelsea attackers. (6/10)

Attack

Eden Hazard: Deployed in a false nine role, but wasn't very well suited to this match, when a target man would have been better. Isolated and struggled to make the ball stick up front. (6/10)

Substitutes

Ramires: Replaced Willian and helped Chelsea to see out a draw that they were very happy with. (6/10)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Brought on in the dying stages to kill a bit more time. (6/10)


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Louis van Gaal watches on during the game between Manchester United and Chelsea on December 28, 2015
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