MAN UNITED MATCH RATINGS 8 6 6 5 7
Super save early on to deny Hazard after Jones miscued his clearance. Had no chance with Hazard’s penalty then saved brilliantly to deny Alonso in the second half. Was forced back by Hazard’s wing wizardry and as a result United lost one of their main wide attackers until they found a new lease of life in the second half. Like Jones, started well but never looked comfortable when Hazard went for the throat. He got better as the game progressed and United upped the stakes. Started assuredly but then gave away an awful early pass and his confidence collapsed leading to him bringing down Hazard for the match-winning penalty. His Indian summer continued. Never looked flustered, never stopped working and inspired many a move. Lucky, however, to escape a handball in the box. Worked hard in United’s engine room after their early blow but Chelsea’s defence pressed hard to close him down. He was bright in their recovery and menacing. Like a metronome he ticked away steadily, never missing a beat. Rarely caught the eye but rarely wasted a pass from midfield and behind the fightback. Covered acres of ground, probing, prompting and always available to take a pass. Took ages to make his mark but when he slipped into gear so did United. Bakayoko
Sanchez.
And before those incidents United keeper David De Gea made an outstanding block with his right leg to deny dangerman Hazard.
United stirred themselves as the break approached and that almost produced an equaliser in the 45th minute but Jones headed wide from Ashley Young’s cross.
They maintained their improvement at the start of the second and Cesar Azpilicueta on Alexis half with a period of high-intensity football that led to Courtois making a fine save from the previously subdued Marcus Rashford.
And United did get the ball into the net in the 63rd minute, after Courtois had made another good stop from a Jones header.
Sanchez followed up to force the ball over the line but the Chilean was ruled to be offside.
Chelsea finally threatened again in the 70th minute when De Gea denied Marcos Alonso.
In the resultant scramble, the ball clearly hit Young on the arm, but there was no penalty.
Mourinho then sent on Romelu Lukaku – though not fully fit – and Anthony Martial for Rashford and Jesse Lingard in an attempt to rescue the situation but the frustration continued for United with Courtois making a parried save from a Matic thunderbolt.
Then Paul Pogba headed wide from a good position as United kept up the pressure to the end. There was to be no leveller though.