MANCHESTER UNITED skirted past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge thanks to a lone Matheus Cunha finish.
Defences were on top in the cagey affair in West London, but the visitors came out on top to defend their position as the best of the rest behind the title challengers.
Several stars stood out for the Red Devils, especially in the back line.
But the result does not mean there were not those who failed to turn in convincing performances.
Here’s how SunSport United reporter Samuel Luckhurst rated the players’ performance…
Senne Lammens – 6
Fumbled an Enzo Fernandez shot that he should have held onto but Liam Delap’s conversion on the rebound was offside.
Indecisive a couple of times but it did not cost him.
Diogo Dalot – 8
Returned to the starting XI after illness contributed to his bench berth against Leeds.
Endeared himself to United fans by dispossessing Alejandro Garnacho and made his experience count.
Noussair Mazraoui – 8
Occupied his eighth different role for United at centre back in a two to complement the left-footed Ayden Heaven and his reading of the game was impressive.
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Was more than up for the fight with Liam Delap, having squared up to him last year.
Ayden Heaven – 6
Had some hairy moments on his first start since January. Committed two fouls outside the area and one led to a free kick.
Executed the odd sliding tackle that would have buoyed him.
Luke Shaw – 8
Stayed at left back, despite playing at centre back in a back four, and had a steady first half.
Did little attacking but was never going to with United’s defence depleted and he was a reassuring presence.
Casemiro – 6
Chelsea played the ball through United’s midfield with such ease you had to wonder whether Erik ten Hag was back in charge.
Casemiro was not as commanding against the dynamic duo of Moises Caicedo and Fernandez. Still left Garnacho on the turf with a clean tackle.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Understandably rusty on his first United start in 29 days, particularly against Caicedo and Fernandez’s athleticism.
Took a back seat on a night Chelsea were certain to have more of the ball and robbed Pedro Neto of the ball to roars from the United fans.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
Recalled at the expense of Amad and started sharply, teeing up Matheus Cunha for a shot at goal only for the Brazilian to miscontrol.
Botched a promising breakaway.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Lacked the control he has recently exerted in games until a stoppage allowed him to chat with Carrick.
The next time Fernandes got the ball, he assisted Matheus Cunha to make it 1-0.
Matheus Cunha – 7
Had little of the ball and it showed when he tackled a first touch from Mbeumo’s lay-off to get booked.
Made amends with a cleanly clipped opening goal.
Benjamin Sesko – 5
United did not play to his strengths and the front four were too individualistic.
Had an underrated role in Cunha’s goal as he occupied Caicedo when the ball bounced across but had a night to forget.
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Mason Mount – 6
Came on to offer energy.
Amad – 6
Brought on to try and help see out the game.
