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Manchester United put on a scintillating display to thump Chelsea 4-0 on matchday one of the 2019/20 Premier League season. The Red Devils were unstoppable, handing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a dream start to the season.
Chelsea looked good value in the opening 10 minutes, but the club’s lack of potency up front eventually proved costly. Goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and debutant Daniel James, were enough to put the Blues to the sword.
Rashford snatched an early lead for the Red Devils, coolly slotting home a penalty in the 18th minute. Martial made it 2-0 after the restart before Rashford scored his second of the day with a deft finish after being played through by Paul Pogba.
Debutant James then came off the bench to add the icing on the cake in what was a comprehensive win for Solskjaer’s men. The result was undoubtedly impressive, and there were some players who stood out as United thumped the Blues.
Here are 5 United players who impressed in their 4-0 win against Chelsea:
#1 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Manchester United had to shell out £50 million to bring in Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace and the right-back looks like he will repay that sum with some breath-taking performances. Against Chelsea, the England defender was one of the stars of the game.
Wan-Bissaka was involved in everything that happened on the right flank, with his awareness particularly saving the Red Devils on a number of occasions. United have struggled with the right-back position in recent years, but Wan-Bissaka looks like he could put an end to their woes.
He foiled numerous attacks by the Chelsea forwards and ended the game with a 100% final-third pass accuracy. The right-back also won all of his aerial duels won, had an 86% pass accuracy, won six tackles and made three interceptions against the Blues. This was an impressive debut for the former Crystal Palace man.
#2 Anthony Martial
Prior to the commencement of the season, the jury was out on Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has blown hot and cold since moving to Old Trafford, but on Sunday he showed flashes of his vintage best.
Martial was more direct, tried to run at the Chelsea defence and capped off a good performance with a well-taken goal. The 22-year-old tapped home from close range after reacting quickest to a cross by Andreas Pereira.
The France international has been handed the no.9 jersey again, following the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Serie A side Inter Milan. This was also the first time in many months that Martial was played in his preferred no.9 role and he totally grabbed his chance.
The young Frenchman can still improve but he was on top of his game against Chelsea. Cesar Azpilicueta and Kurt Zouma were simply powerless to match the pace of the former Monaco forward.
#3 Marcus Rashford
While Anthony Martial deserves praise for his output against Chelsea, the brightest spark in the Manchester United attack was undoubtedly Marcus Rashford. The England striker put in one of his best performances at Old Trafford as the Red Devils put Frank Lampard’s men to the sword.
Rashford was the one who kickstarted the goal-fest, expertly converting a penalty after he was felled in the box by Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma. The 21-year-old kept his nerve and struck the ball way beyond the stretching arms of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
His second goal was much more impressive as he controlled a long pass from Paul Pogba before coolly slotting home to make the scoreline 3-0. Rashford’s biggest problem has been his inconsistency, but on Sunday he was a livewire throughout the game against the Blues.
The Englishman has often been criticised for his wastefulness in front of goal, but his two goals against Chelsea certainly put his critics on hold for now. The Rashford we saw against Chelsea is the one many United fans will be hoping to witness throughout the season. He was simply unplayable.
#4 Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard was widely tipped to be sold ahead of the new season. However, the England international looks to have rewritten himself into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans following an energy-filled performance against Chelsea.
Lingard did not score against the Blues and did not register an assist either. However, he played just as important a role as the other goal scorers in the 4-0 win at Old Trafford. He was everywhere on the pitch – in defence, midfield, on the right flank, left flank and sometimes in the no.10 role.
In fact, he was the centrepiece of Manchester United’s pressing which forced the Chelsea defenders into a series of errors at the back. At a point when United’s midfield was struggling to get hold of the ball, Lingard’s positioning and pressing helped the Red Devils survive the pressure from the Blues.
Paul Pogba – who registered two assists – and Daniel James – who scored – also deserve notable mentions, but Lingard makes the list of United’s top five performers due to his hard work and effort against Chelsea on Sunday.
#5 Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire was named the Man of the Match for his stellar performance against Chelsea. The 25-year-old came into the game having trained for just a couple of days with his teammates after completing a big-money move from Leicester City.
However, Maguire put up an assured, professional performance which ended with a clean sheet on his debut at the Theatre of Dreams. His price tag obviously comes with a bit of pressure but he handled himself well against the Blues.
Maguire made seven clearances, recorded four interceptions and was not dribbled past even once throughout the game. All of a sudden, the United defence looks solid and his partnership with Victor Lindelof can only get better with time.
United have struggled to keep clean sheets but the former Leicester defender has brought the sort of calmness and solidity they've lacked in the past, and he was a beast against Chelsea.
