Man United 1-1 Chelsea PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester United continued their resurgence under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy by securing a battling 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

United made their first Premier League outing on Sunday since the decision was made to terminate Erik ten Hag’s contract at the club, with Ruben Amorim since confirmed as his successor.

A goalless first-half paved the way for a much more entertaining second with Bruno Fernandes giving United the lead from the penalty spot only for Moises Caicedo to pull Chelsea level with a sublime finish just moments later.

Both sides then played out a rollercoaster conclusion to proceedings with Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes both wasting golden chances to win the tie in dramatic fashion.

Mail Sport’s KIERAN GILL gives his expert player ratings from Old Trafford following the high-octane clash. 

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

Andre Onana – 6

Nearly played the hospital pass of the season when Chelsea had Casemiro surrounded by United’s own box. Could not get across in time to stop Caicedo’s volley.

Diogo Dalot – 6

Clear yellow when he committed to stopping Neto from charging for the United box, only to trip the speedster. Chelsea didn’t test the right back nearly enough.

Matthijs de Ligt – 6.5

Twice he turned into a brick wall to deny Palmer, first from close range and then from long. Unfortunately for United, their clean sheet was wiped out by Caicedo’s wonder-strike.

Lisandro Martinez – 6

Accused by Colwill of kicking him in the box, but VAR cleared it correctly and swiftly enough. Cautioned in stoppage time after he stuck his studs into Palmer’s kneecap.

Noussair Mazraoui – 7

Clearly up for this one, which United’s fans appreciated seeing as he looked like one of their better performers, forever bringing energy to the left flank.

Manuel Ugarte – 6

On the front foot when pouncing on a James pass into the middle of the park to create a chance for United. Booked for pushing over Palmer out of sheer panic.

Casemiro – 6

Even the pigeons in the Old Trafford rafters were chuckling when Palmer performed his trademark touch-and-go trick on him. Don’t worry, Casemiro, he’s had a few victims this season.

Alejandro Garnacho – 5

Tried to curl one into the top corner after 24 minutes, then had an even better chance after 64. So often showed the right intentions but the wrong execution.

Bruno Fernandes – 6.5

Calmest man in Old Trafford as he sent Sanchez the wrong way with his penalty, but blinded by the headlines when he then blazed over the chance to win it.

Marcus Rashford – 6

Sliced a volley into the woodwork just as the half-time whistle was blown. Rashford was one of the few to get bums off seats with his skilful skinning of Gusto.

Rasmus Hojlund – 6

Grew highly frustrated with the refereeing team as he felt he was being roughed up, not least by Colwill, but won United’s penalty after he was clearly felled by Sanchez.

SUBS

Amad Diallo (for Rashford, 73)

Victor Lindelof (for Ugarte, 84)

Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 84)

SUBS NOT USED

Altay Bayindir

Jonny Evans

Ethan Wheatley

Harry Amass

Jack Fletcher

Jayce John Fitzgerald

MANAGER

Ruud van Nistelrooy – 6

Neither side did much to stop the most drawn game in Premier League history from finishing as expected.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)

Robert Sanchez – 4.5

Chelsea have spent so much money on various positions and yet they are still lacking a world-class goalkeeper. Sanchez was so clumsy in fouling Hojlund for United’s penalty.

Malo Gusto – 4.5

Gusto is a good player, but he does not possess the skillset to invert from right back to No 10, hence why he was hooked at half-time for Cucurella.

Wesley Fofana – 6

Poor misjudgement when the ball came into the box in the build-up to United winning their penalty as it sailed over his head and into Hojlund’s feet.

Levi Colwill – 6

Must have nails like Wolverine judging by the scratches on Hojlund’s neck after one altercation. Colwill and Fofana were forever embroiled in their own battles with United’s striker.

Reece James – 5.5

Some surprise that Cucurella is not in their ‘A team’. Sloppy pass gifted United a great chance midway through the first half. Still building to full fitness.

Moises Caicedo – 9

Beautiful control to bring the dropping ball under his spell in the 74th minute for Chelsea’s volleyed equaliser. He was, without question, the best player on the pitch here.

Romeo Lavia – 6.5

Now ahead of £105m Fernandez in the pecking order because of the physicality he brings to midfield. Sacrificed after 70 minutes as Chelsea chased the game.

Noni Madueke – 5.5

Really should have headed home from three yards in the 13th minute. Whether VAR would have let it stand, after his shove on Casemiro, who knows. Not his greatest game.

Cole Palmer – 6.5

Had his obligatory chances to score, but twice he saw De Ligt make blocks. Showed his skills as usual, one such incident leading to a nasty foul by Martinez.

Pedro Neto – 6

Fired narrowly wide of the far corner in the 55th minute. Chelsea fans would have liked to see him charging down the left-hand side much more than he was.

Nicolas Jackson – 5.5

Jackson’s hold-up and link-up play was nowhere near as effective as it had been in previous performances. He’s a hard worker, but this was not the striker’s finest night.

SUBS

Marc Cucurella (for Gusto, 46)

Enzo Fernandez (for Lavia, 70)

Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 70)

SUBS NOT USED

Filip Jorgensen

Tosin Adarabioyo

Benoit Badiashile

Joao Felix

Christopher Nkunku

Renato Veiga

MANAGER

Enzo Maresca – 5.5

One of Chelsea’s least inspiring performances of the season. Point apiece was fair in the end.

REFEREE

Robert Jones – 5

‘Fergie’s right, the refs are s****,’ sang the United fans, though he did them a favour by not dismissing Martinez.