Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United: 5 Men who won the game for Solskjaer

At full time, the Manchester United players were full of celebrations and why not. After staying eleven games unbeaten since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Manchester United Bandwagon had come to an abrupt halt in midweek in the UEFA Champions League. At home, against a rampant PSG side in the first leg of the round of 16, Solskjaer’s boys were given a lesson in football and maturity, as the French Champions won 2-0.

The sudden loss led to many questions regarding Solskjaer’s abilities to match his tactics against the best sides in the world. Much of those queries would have been squashed on Monday night as Manchester United hardly broke a sweat and yet managed to overcome a strong Chelsea side. It was also a night of revenge; the Blues had defeated United in last season’s FA Cup final and United were even now.

Also Read: Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United: 5 Tactics from Solskjaer that won the game

The stakes were higher than usual on the night though as both Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were out of the tie with injuries picked up in midweek. It meant that Solskjaer had to shuffle around his team as well as tactics, in a tough away game.

In the end, the Manager got his tactics absolutely right and came away with a vital win. While much of the credit must go to the Norwegian, his players also responded well to his moves. Here, we look at the 5 men who were brilliant for Solskjaer against Chelsea.

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#5 Luke Shaw

Chelsea v Manchester United - FA Cup Fifth Round

Luke Shaw is one of the players who suffer the most when Anthony Martial does not play. The understanding between those two is uncanny, it is almost telepathic at times and United have benefited from their chemistry on the pitch so far under Solskjaer. Naturally, Shaw would have been disappointed to see the Frenchman in the sidelines. However, he did not let that affect the game on the night.

The Englishman was restrained while going forward, keeping a close eye on Pedro. Shaw never allowed the Spaniard to influence the game and Pedro, as such, had a quiet night. Even though Pogba and Lukaku did come to his aid throughout the game, the Englishman had to compete with Kante and Pedro for most of the game and it is a credit to Shaw's qualities that neither of the two men could get the better of him.

But Shaw did not just guard the left flank, he regularly sped inside to cover up for his centre-backs whenever they were caught out. The Englishman already looks like a fantastic player under Solskjaer and against Chelsea, his performance was crucial as United secured a vital win.

#4 Marcus Rashford

Rashford started from the wide on the night and regularly switched places with Lukaku to pop up on the left at times. His movement and speed always gave Chelsea a lot of problems and he took the game to the opposition with his pressing and running. As Mata dropped down, Rashford drifted into the middle and kept the Chelsea defense under constant pressure.

Due to the nature of Chelsea's game, United were constantly under pressure in the first half, but whenever they had the ball, Rashford's abilities on the ball and his speed down the flanks always looked threatening. Due to his movements, Marcos Alonso was unable to play his natural game, as the Spaniard had to keep an eye out for the United youngster.

Just at the stroke of halftime, Rashford had his moment of the night. He received the ball from Pogba and ran through the right flank. He had the presence of mind to wait until Pogba arrived and then fed the Frenchman with the perfect cross. Pogba scored United's second of the night and won the game.

#3 Nemanja Matic

When Matic received his yellow card, it would turn out to be a long night for the Serbian. However, there was a moment in the second half when he committed a foul which looked to be his last warning. It was clear that if he put a foot wrong again, Matic would be off the field.

From then on, the Serbian showed a resolute side of his nature and a wonderful strength of character to go almost the last 30 minutes without committing one foul, which allowed Solskjaer to keep his midfield anchor in the field while using his substitutes to address other areas of concern.

But even before he had given his manager a few sweats on the forehead, the Serbian had won the battle for United. Against his former team, Matic was United's reply to Sarri ball. His positioning and gameplay on the night ensured that United never lost control of the midfield.

Matic also played an important role in shielding his defense against Chelsea's constant pressure and was key as United secured entry into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

#2 Ander Herrera

Solskjaer's midfield dynamo is one of his most trusted players. Young might be wearing the captain's armband but Herrera is almost always the leader on the pitch. He ensures that everyone around him is on their toes and reads the game well to alter his approach. Against Chelsea too, the Spaniard was one of the best players on the night.

Under Solskjaer's attacking tactics, Herrera has enjoyed a lot more freedom. It has allowed him to play his natural game, where he presses and keeps the ball moving. Charged with the responsibility of keeping Eden Hazard quiet, Herrera combined well with Young to ensure that the Belgian had little joy on the night. Herrera's pressing and interceptions are vital to the way United play, but he also showed his abilities in front of goal against Chelsea.

He hit a venomous volley that stung Kepa's palms in the first half and in the 31st minute, his clever movement gave United the lead. With most of the play concentrated on the left, Herrera found space ahead of him and ran into the box. It was a move that opened up Chelsea, as Pogba found the Spaniard with a measured ball. Herrera ran beyond Alonso and headed the ball past a hapless Kepa to give United a lead. It calmed the nerves of the away side and allowed United to go on and win the game.

#1 Paul Pogba

The Frenchman is suspended for the return leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against PSG at Paris and against Chelsea, he showed why Manchester United will miss him dearly.

Pogba started in the midfield alongside his usual compatriots, but unlike Herrera and Matic, had a lot more offensive freedom. However, he did drop down from time to time to help Shaw deal with Pedro and Kante.

Yet, Pogba's best qualities are on display when he drives forward and as usual, Chelsea had no answer to his power and finesse whenever the Frenchman ran at the home team. His passing and creative genius is the beating heart of Solskjaer's system, so it was quite fitting that it was his glorious ball to Herrera that gave United the lead.

It was a moment that defined Pogba's qualities - his awareness of his teammates' runs combined with his ability to send in the perfect final ball.

However, the Frenchman was not done after picking up his 10th assist of the season. In the 45th minute, he showed the other side of his game. After winning back the ball, he unleashed Rashford and then dashed into the box to head in United's second of the night.

Paul Pogba has now scored and assisted 15 goals ever since Solskjaer took over and against Chelsea, his man of the match performance won United the game.

Edited by Sujith M