Manchester United and Chelsea played out a dull 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday evening, with both teams playing it very dull.
The first half was uneventful, although Marcus Rashford was presented with a good chance to break the deadlock, but Edouard Mendy was up to the task and fired his shot wide. The second half was equally in control, with neither side seemingly intent on winning the match.
It ended goalless at Old Trafford. ?#MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/T0ut5FFplZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2020
Both Man Utd and Chelsea had half chances as the game wore on, and Rashford almost grabbed the points with a last-minute curler, but Mendy once again kept his side level.
The referee finally put us all out of our misery with the sweet sound of the final whistle, and both teams had to settle for a point apiece for their lame efforts.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings from a painful evening at Old Trafford.
The best love song of the ’00s / Poll/Getty Images is about to drop.
David de Gea (GK) – 6/10 – There really wasn’t much going on for large stretches of the match. No big saves or moments of note in the first half. The same goes for the other.
Aaron Van Busaka (RB) – 7/10 – The drifter, tasked with marking Werner, floated to the left side of the pitch. Did a great job, especially with Pulisic in the mix.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 7/10 – Somehow survived a light tackle on Azpilicueta in the penalty area – no joke, please. Also left very big, defended very strongly in the open game.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 7/10 – A better display and much needed too. Werner’s run struggled at times, but did quite well in a cagey match.
Luke Shaw (LB) – 7/10 – Picked up a first-half yellow for trying to professionally foul James – twice. Looked solid and prevented Havertz from causing any problems.
It wasn’t that boring, Bruno, come on / Poll/Getty Images
Scott McTominay (CM) – 6/10 – Shielded the back four with physical aggression and determination. Didn’t add much in terms of development on the pitch. Nothing, actually.
Fred (CM) – 6/10 – An underrated little scraper. I stuck in and broke Chelsea’s counterattacks with venom. The forward passing wasn’t great, to put it mildly.
Bruno Fernandes (CM) – 6/10 – Able to play from any nook or cranny with exceptional ease. Produced some lovely crossfield balls, but nothing broke.
Rashford braving the elements/Michael Regan/Getty Images
Juan Mata (RW) – 5/10 – hope to pRemove the extra trickery and trickery that the next three required. Mendy’s palms stung with a fine effort before half-time. Subbed
Marcus Rashford (ST) – 6/10 – Wasted a great chance when cleared at the start of the goal. Ran into Chelsea’s defense and gave them no rest. Almost won it in the end – unlucky.
Dan James (LW) – 5/10 – Very fast runner. Not so good at football. Some got into dangerous positions, but just as quickly struggled to get the better of James. Subbed
It’s time. #MUFC #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/mzzNDCErnw
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 24, 2020
Edinson Cavani (ST) – 6/10
Paul Pogba (CM) – 6/10
Mason Greenwood (RW) – 6/10
It’s getting cold out there / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Edward Mandy (GK) – 7/10 – Can’t kick the ball with your left foot, that much we’ve learned. Smart stop to deny Rashford in the first half. A fine save was pulled off in the dying minutes to claw back a point in London. Bravo
Reece James (RWB) – 7/10 – Dean had James’ number from the off, and wasn’t afraid to take Shaw on the offensive. A combative and determined performance.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) – 6/10 – Should have earned a penalty with his tenacity in the opposition box. Enjoyed the fight and stuck. Expect nothing less.
Thiago Silva (CB) – 7/10 – Rashford relished the challenge of keeping up, and looked much more comfortable than previous displays. Point-saving tackle on Kiwanis late.
Kurt Zouma (CB) – 7/10 – Did your job well. Defended the counter attack, tired of his man and won the ball more often. Can’t ask for more.
Ben Chilwell (LWB) – 7/10 – A confident performance. Never relinquishing his defensive duties, always looking to bomb and overlap on the left. Not spectacular, but impressive, nonetheless.
Stuck in Thorns / Poll / Getty Images
Kai Havertz (RM) – 5/10 – On the team to create and provide an outlet for your teammates. None of these things did, really. Very blunt, very isolated and definitely misused.
N’Golo Kante (CM) – 7/10 – Dynamic, solid and relentless. Ran the game, threw myself into every take and came out the other side smiling.
Jorginho (CM) – 6/10 – He did his usual trick of passing the ball very well. Didn’t blow us away with anything revolutionary, but did a consistent job.
Christian Pulisic (LM) – 6/10 – Went in and tried to create, but cut a pretty desperate figure with those around him. At times he found himself in dangerous positions, but his comrades failed to deliver supplies.
was so uninvolving that it was hard to find a decent photo / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Timo Werner (ST) – 5/10 – He looked incredibly isolated despite the amount of attacking talent around him. Pulled left to try and drag players out of position, but with little success.
A double alternative. ?
? 0-0? [72’] #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/3WjO3PPRnS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2020
Mason Mount (RM) – 5/10
Tammy Ibrahim (ST) – 6/10
Hakeem Zech (LM) – 6/10