Manchester United player ratings vs Chelsea
It was Wembley disappointment for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as his side lost 3-1 to Chelsea after the United boss made a number of changes to the starting XI.
![Manchester United player ratings vs Chelsea](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/UU3ZDIMPLBMG5KGKNDORB4JSCE.jpg?auth=9211ffa7619e79d14a0edfebf05740d09f258622671d633fe4c9315af411944d&width=360&height=203&smart=true)
Chelsea are through to the FA Cup final after an impressive victory over Manchester United at Wembley. The Blues had the better of the play in the first half and made their dominance in possession count shortly before the break. Cesar Azpilicueta made a strong run down the right wing and whipped in a low cross to the near post which was turned home by Olivier Giroud from close range.
David de Gea will feel he could have done better with Chelsea’s first - and their second was the result of some more poor handling from the United stopper. Brandon Williams gave the ball away cheaply in his own half and Mason Mount’s tame effort from the edge of the box squirmed under De Gea’s hands and into the net. To cap a disappointing afternoon for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United captain Harry Maguire turned into his own net to book Chelsea’s place in the FA Cup final.
There was a glimmer of hope for Manchester United late on as Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty after Calum Hudson-Odoi tripped Anthony Martial in the box. But there was no dramatic comeback and Frank Lampard’s side book their place in the FA Cup final against Arsenal on 1 August.
Manchester United player ratings
David de Gea – The United goalkeeper did not cover himself in glory with Giroud’s opener, beaten by a weak effort from close range towards the end of the first half. Things went from bad to worse just seconds after the restart to compound a poor afternoon. A couple of good saves late on went some way to redeeming himself but by then the damage was done. 5/10
Eric Bailly – The Ivorian was making just his ninth appearance of an injury-hit campaign and misfortune struck again towards the end of the first half when he clashed heads with Maguire, needing to be stretchered off. 6/10
Harry Maguire – The United captain played on after the collision and looked to breathe some life into his side with some front foot passes as the game wore on. However his distribution was inconsistent and he lost the ball cheaply on a number of occasions. Turned into his own net for the third. 5/10
Victor Lindelof – He struggled to get to grips with Olivier Giroud throughout and was outdone by the Frenchman’s movement and strength for the first goal, easing him out of the way to convert. Looked a bit more settled when United switched to a back four and he was employed more centrally. 5/10
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – The youngster is often praised for his defensive abilities over his attacking ones and he struggled to make an impact from wing-back against Chelsea. With Mount drifting in-field Wan-Bissaka felt a bit redundant at times and a more attacking option would have been handy at times. 6/10
Fred – Chelsea’s midfield trio looked particularly dynamic in the first half and Fred spent much of his hour on the pitch chasing shadows, replaced by Pogba after an hour with United needing some attacking inspiration. 5/10
Nemanja Matic - Recalled to the starting XI following a rest in the midweek fixture but did not bring the sort of authority that has become his trademark in recent months. Missed a good chance late on to score against his former side, heading over from the back post. 6/10
Brandon Williams – The left-back has a chance to stake a claim for a starting berth with Shaw out injured but he was wasteful on the ball at Wembley and was not the attacking threat that he can be. It was his wayward cross-field pass that gifted Mount the opportunity for Chelsea’s second, although he would have expected his goalkeeper to keep it out. 5/10
Bruno Fernandes – Struggled to make an impact in the first half as Chelsea dominated the ball but grew in influence gradually. His incisive passing gave his team a bit of momentum for a spell in the second half but was rarely given space by the Chelsea midfield. Tucked his penalty away calmly but by then the game was already lost. 7/10
Daniel James – The young Welshman was handed a rare start at Wembley and offered a real threat on the counter-attack in the early stages, racing onto a couple of ambitious through-balls. However his build-up play left a lot to be desired and United looked a better side after reverting to their usual system. 6/10
Marcus Rashford – Chances were few and far between for the forward for the first hour, firing wide from the angle in his only real sight of goal. Was shifted to the left wing when Martial came on and seemed to grow frustrated with the lack of service. 5/10
Substitutes
Anthony Martial – The Frenchman has been in fine form and looked dangerous at times after coming on, winning a penalty with some tricky footwork in the box. 6/10
Paul Pogba – The midfielder’s omission from the starting line-up seemed an odd decision and his crisp passing was sorely missed in the first half. He tried to rally his team after coming on but only succeeded in picking up a booking for a mistimed tackle. 5/10
Mason Greenwood – It is a testament to his enormous ability that Manchester United looked a worse side without the 18-year-old’s directness, but he was given few opportunities to impress as Chelsea stood strong. 5/10
Timothy Fosu-Mensah – Replaced Wan-Bissaka towards the end but struggled to make an impact. N/A
Odion Ighalo – Brought on with ten minutes remaining and saw little of the ball. N/A