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When Manchester United travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Red Devils had managed to put together a good run of games. It all started from the draw against Liverpool in the Premier League, which was followed by a gritty 1-0 win over Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League. Last weekend, Manchester United were in full flow as they overcame Norwich City 3-1 to rise to seventh in the Premier League.
On Wednesday, the Red Devils up against their old foes, Chelsea, who had been getting better and better under Frank Lampard this season. Since the opening day defeat to United, the Blues had improved by leaps and bounds and were ready to avenge that loss in the Carabao Cup, where they had brushed aside Grimsby Town 7-1 in the third round.
Manchester United, on the other hand, had laboured to a 1-1 draw in regulation time against Rochdale, requiring penalties to set up a tie against Chelsea. Even though the Red Devils had improved since that outing, Solskjaer was aware that his players needed to be near perfect to beat Chelsea.
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Manchester United Starting XI: Sergio Romero; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo, Brandon Williams; Fred, Scott McTominay; Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Daniel James
Manchester United took the lead in the 25th minute through Marcus Rashford’s penalty. The home side failed to muster a single shot on target in the first half, as we went into the break with United 1-0 ahead. After the break, Chelsea equalized through Michy Batshuayi in the 61st minute.
However, Rashford's fantastic freekick put United ahead once again in the 73rd minute. It turned out to be the match winner, as United won the game 2-1. Here are five players who were brilliant for Manchester United.
#5 Brandon Williams
The fact that Solskjaer trusted the youngster for such a vital game highlighted the recent rise of Brandon Williams. The teenager had been impressive in recent outings and had another run in the first team as a wingback against Chelsea.
Williams had an excellent game and dealt with the threat of Callum Hudson-Odoi very well. He was tireless through the left side, running forward to join the attack, but never losing emphasis on his defending.
Willams had 58 touches on the ball, and recorded 30 passes with 80% accuracy. He even had one successful dribble in the game and registered two tackles with 100% accuracy. The youngster was brilliant on the night and helped United win the game.
#4 Marcos Rojo
The Argentinean returned to the backline as Solskjaer decided to use the same three-man defence that had worked wonders against Liverpool. Marcos Rojo started on the left of Harry Maguire and outshone the Englishman with his grit and determination. Rojo was proactive on the field and even though there’s still a degree of rashness in his game, the Argentinean was splendid on the night.
With Brandon Williams starting as the left wing-back, Rojo had his task cut out for the game. However, the Argentinean communicated well with the teenager and covered for him on quite a few occasions.
Rojo even encouraged Williams to venture forward and helped the youngster deal with Callum Hudson-Odoi. The Argentinean was adventurous with his passing and tried to find his forwards with long balls from deep. At the back, Rojo was an animal on the night, winning all four of his aerial battles as well as his three tackles.
The Argentinean was so assured that Solskjaer replaced Victor Lindelof and kept Rojo on the field when United shifted to a back four temporarily. Rojo’s tenacity and composure ultimately helped United win the game.
#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka switched from a full-back to a wing-back for the night and had another assured outing for his club. The Englishman ensured that both Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso had a quiet day at the office. Wan-Bissaka had 65 touches on the ball and attempted 35 passes with 77% accuracy.
He had a restrained start to the game, where he ventured forward with some caution. But soon enough, Wan-Bissaka was marauding down the right, combining well with James and trying to make things happen.
The Englishman tracked back religiously, attempting four tackles with a 100% success rate. He rarely let anyone pass him through the right and his positioning was immaculate. After Chelsea equalized, Solskjaer changed shape to a back four, and Wan-Bissaka showed no qualms in picking up added responsibilities.
He even ended the game as a part of a three-man backline and helped United stay compact in the dying minutes of the game.
#2 Scott McTominay
Another game, another five-star performance from Scott McTominay. The Scottish midfielder is already one of the first names in the team list for Solskjaer and he has been improving with every passing game. Against Chelsea, McTominay was once again partnered with Fred in the middle of the park and had his work cut out against the experience of the Chelsea midfield.
McTominay was authoritative in the middle of the park, winning back possession, releasing his forward with quick passes and even venturing into the box with late runs. He took control of the midfield early in the game and after some crunch tackles, showed the opposition that he was in charge. Even though McTominay picked up a yellow card early in the game, he had an assured outing and never looked too worried.
With the Scottish midfielder providing the steel in the middle, United dared to shift to a back four after conceding the equalizer. McTominay had 60 touches on the ball and attempted 33 passes with 82% accuracy. He registered seven tackles with a 77% success rate and was dispossessed just once in the entire game.
#1 Marcus Rashford
Solskjaer started with Anthony Martial on the bench, with Marcus Rashford given the responsibility to get the goals on the night. Even though United changed formation for the game, the Englishman found himself in his preferred left forward role and made the most of it.
Rashford was busy on the left side, running at the Chelsea defence, pressing the opposition and trying to create opportunities. In the 25th minute, though, he had to endure a real test of character.
After Daniel James was brought down by Marcos Alonso in the box, United won a penalty. Rashford had missed one against Norwich at the weekend, but he stepped up to take the spot-kick again. The Englishman send Willy Caballero the wrong way to give United the lead.
After the goal, Rashford continued to be a threat, especially on the break. He even switched places with Daniel James to run through the right at one point in time. However, his best moment arrived after United had won a free-kick in the 73rd minute.
From 30 yards out, Rashford unleashed a venomous strike that swerved through the air and into the top right corner. It was a goal that reinstated United’s lead and ultimately helped them win the game.
