3) Ander Herrera key to United’s attack and defence
As soon as the game kicked off, one thing was very obvious to see. Mourinho had tasked Herrera with one job when United did not have the ball – stick to Eden Hazard like glue. No matter where the Belgian roamed on the Old Trafford pitch, Herrera was no more than a couple of yards away from him, pressurising him to get rid of the ball or force him into a mistake.
As a result, PFA Player of the Year nominee Eden Hazard (with 14 goals and 5 assists), had a very quiet game by his standards this season – especially in the first half. Shots on goal? Zero. Take-ons completed? Zero. Chances created? Zero.
Herrera was also responsible for both goals. The first goal was created from his interception but one could argue that it was a handball. However, while Chelsea’s players shouted in protest, Herrera was the only one playing to the whistle and set Rashford on his way to score the opener.
In the second half, it was his deflected shot that managed to beat a wrong-footed Begovic to double United’s lead. Having received the ball from Young (who did well to steal the ball of N’golo Kante’s feet), the Spaniard drilled a shot that deflected off Zouma to find the back of the net and spark wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
