Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea: The Best & The Worst Players

Sripad
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Diego Costa of Chelsea looks dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, 2017 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)










What was he doing?

A Jose Mourinho Masterclass. That's the best way to describe this game. If you are a Chelsea fan, this should not come as a surprise to you at all.

When the team news came out, everyone expected it to be an easy win for Chelsea but little did they know about the tactics Mourinho had up his sleeves. Here's a look at the best 3 and the worst 3 players on the pitch today:

Worst: Diego Costa

How he lasted 90 minutes on the pitch? Nobody knows. He could have got sent off and deserved to be taken off at half time itself by Antonio Conte.

That push on Eric Bailly should have merited a yellow card, and then that comical acting along with Marcos Rojo should have earned them Oscar nominations.

The striker had more fights on the pitch than touches of the ball today and let's not even talk about shots. The entire Chelsea team had ZERO shots on target.

Best: Marcos Rashford

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, 2017 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
What a talent

Is he actually 19? The way he played today showed years of maturity, and his composure on the ball was better than any one else.

The young Englishman was running rings around the Chelsea defenders, and they had absolutely no clue how to stop him. His pace was enough to beat David Luiz to the ball to score the first goal, and since then, he was just not giving the defenders any space to breathe.

Manchester United fans were cursing Mourinho for benching Zlatan Ibrahimovic but had the Swede played, Rashford wouldn't have been this effective on the wings.

Worst: Nemanja Matic

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13:  Nemanja Matic of Chelsea evades Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on March 13, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Outplayed

Where was he? What was he doing? Those are the questions on everyone's mind right now. Some might go to the extent of saying that he was Manchester United's 12 man. But the fact is, none of it is wrong.

He is showing the signs of the Matic we saw last season. The Serbian was all over the pitch and not in the way Conte wanted him to be. Kept losing the possession and of his 21 successful passes, only three were forward passed. Just 3.

Despite being poor in the first half, he somehow emerged from the tunnel and started the 2nd half too! 21 minutes into the 2nd half, Conte realised that his player wearing the #21 jersey was doing nothing and took him off.

Best: Marouane Fellaini

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United and N'Golo Kante of Chelsea battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, 2017 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The tree stood tall

Yes, Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian was in top form for Manchester United today and made so many interceptions and almost all the aerial duels with the Chelsea midfielders.

Fellaini recovered 13 balls for United - the best for the Red Devils today. Only David Luiz had more balls recovered than him today with 16, but he wasn't as active as the former Everton star.

Apart from that, he made 4 vital interceptions and was in the right position at the right time throughout the game. One of the best games he has ever played for United.

Worst: Eden Hazard | Best: Ander Herrera

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Ander Herrera of Manchester United celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, 2017 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Had Hazard in his pocket

Invincible. Herrera was like Hazard's shadow tonight, and that was enough to keep the Belgian off the ball. No matter where Hazard was, Herrera was right beside him. Vodafone customer?

There was absolutely nothing Hazard could do to lose the Spaniard from his back. There was nothing the United midfielder did wrong today. Nothing.

Hazard, the one with the most take-ons this season, had ZERO today! Meanwhile, Herrera assisted the first goal and scored the second (off deflection) to secure the 2-0 for the Red Devils.

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