Section:GDN 1N PaGe:51 Edition Date:190812 Edition:01 Zone: Sent at 11/8/2019 20:31 cYanmaGentaYellowb
Monday 12 Aug ust 2019 The Guardian •
51spells they passed the ball with more
clarity. They certainly had the better
of the opening 45 minutes but still
found themselves behind due to Kurt
Zouma’s mistimed challenge bringing
down Rashford just inside the penalty
area. It was a straightforward decision
for the VAR offi cials and, though Kepa
dived the right way, Rashford’s penalty
was a mirror image of the one he scored
so memorably against Paris St Germain
last season – struck powerfully and still
rising as it hit the net.
Until that point Lampard must have
been encouraged by the adventurous
approach of his team. Tammy Abra-
ham, spearheading their new-look
attack, had fl ashed a 20-yard shot
against David de Gea’s post. Mason
Mount, operating in the number 10
role (albeit wearing number 19) looked
determined to show he could fl ourish
at this level. Pedro had one of his bet-
ter games and Ross Barkley was quick
to support Abraham when the team
broke forward.
United, in comparison, needed
the opening goal to bring them alive
and even then Chelsea had enough
chances to feel aggrieved to be behind
at half-time. Emerson, in particular,
was unfortunate with a rising left-
footed shot that beat De Gea but
fl ashed off the crossbar. Aaron Wan-
Bissaka’s saving tackle on Barkley
drew an almighty cheer from the home
crowd and Harry Maguire, another
debutant in United’s back four, cer-
tainly won his fair share of headers.
Overall, however, the opening hour
was not easy whatsoever for United’s
new defence and they rode their luck
at times. Chelsea were just too naive,
perhaps, to make it count – too open,
too wasteful in attack, too obliging
with their marking.
There is also a great statistic from
the Premier League era that showsUnited have never lost any of the 280
games when they have had a half-time
lead on their own ground (winning
264 and drawing the other 16). More
and more it is also becoming evident
how Solskjær intends to line up his
attacking players this season. Here,
he started with Andreas Pereira just
behind Martial, in the most advanced
position. However, there were times
when Jesse Lingard, who began on
the right, exchanged positions with
Pereira whereas Martial and Rashford
did the same on the left. Martial has
taken on Romelu Lukaku’s number
nine shirt and he certainly fi nished like
a number nine when Pereira swung
over the cross for United’s second goal.
Pereira had justifi ed his selection.
Scott McTominay did, too. Maguire
and Wan-Bissaka can reflect on a
satisfactory start (Maguire-watchers
will also have noted the move for the
fourth goal began with him dispossess-
ing Abraham on the edge of his own
penalty area). James looked euphoric
and Old Traff ord, by the end, felt like
a contented place. They even sang
Mourinho’s name, eliciting a wave
from their former manager.‘United shot an electric bolt
through Old Traff ord’
Analysis
Jamie Jackson Page 48 Martial
shows
poacher’s
instinctAnthony
Martial meets
Andreas
Pereira’s
cross to score
Manchester
United’s
second goal
MATTHEW
ASHTON/AMA/
GETTY IMAGESPlayer ratings
Manchester United
4-2-3-1Chelsea
4-2-3-1
David de Gea
A confi dent start to the
new season with fi ne saves
from Barkley, Emerson
and Mount.Kepa Arrizabalaga
No chance with the
penalty but beaten too
easily when Martial took
the game away.Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The £45m signing made
an immediate impression.
Pulled inside a few times
but dominant in his battles.César Azpilicueta
The visitors’ best defender
until switching off with
serious consequences for
the second and third goals.Victor Lindelöf •
A polished display and an
important infl uence on the
two debutants either side
of him in United’s defence.Andreas Christensen
Alert for several
interceptions and strong
in the air, although slow to
react on the second goal.▲ Harry Maguire
A serene start for
the world’s most
expensive defender.
Won header s , passed
cleanly and instigated
the second goal.Kurt Zouma •
A nervous, clumsy and
costly display from a
defender trying to impress
after two seasons away.Luke Shaw
Exposed several times in
the fi rst half by a lack of
protection around him but
handled the pressure well.▲ Emerson
Justifi ed his selection
over Marcos Alonso
by bringing energy
and threat. Denied by
the woodwork and
twice by De Gea.Paul Pogba
A masterful display. Put
the team fi rst and made
beautiful passes for the
third and fourth goals.Jorginho •
Tidier and more creative
in possession than most
but frequently overrun in
the second half.Andreas Pereira
Took his chance well with
a part in the fi rst two goals
and a hand in limiting
Jorginho’s infl uence.Mason Mount
Pressed well when
Chelsea were on top only
to fade after the penalty.
Indecisive in front of goal.Jesse Lingard •
Anonymous on the right
but prospered when shifted
inside. A more physical
presence than usual.Pedro
Refl ected Chelsea’s day:
sharp and inventive early
on but wasteful and erratic
as the game wore on.Scott McTominay
D ovetailed neatly
with Pogba. The pair’s
understanding grew
during the game.Mateo Kovacic
Exerted little infl uence
on the midfi eld battle.
Allowed Pogba too much
freedom to dictate.76
76
85
8
4
7
7
86
75
76
86
76
76
Substitutes
Daniel James (for Pereira 74) 7,
Juan Mata (for Rashford 86) 5,
Mason Greenwood (for Lingard 86) 5Substitutes
Christian Pulisic (for Barkley 58) 6,
Olivier Giroud (for Abraham 66) 5,
N’Golo Kanté • (for Jorginho 73) 5Referee Anthony Taylor Att 73,620Andy HunterMarcus Rashford
Un comfortable on the left
but fl ourished centrally.
His pace and touch
polished United’s attacks.Ross Barkley
Looked lean and keen
to get on the front foot
but had little joy against
Wan-Bissaka.Anthony Martial •
Showed a fi nisher’s instinct
to convert the second goal.
More suited than Rashford
to playing out wide.Tammy Abraham •
A starting role was a vote
of confi dence and, though
he hit the post, his hold-up
play needs to improve. Kurt Zouma
fouls Marcus
Rashford in the
box, leading
to United’s
penalty
PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS▲ Daniel James celebrates
after scoring United’s
fourth to complete the rout
MATTHEW ASHTON/AMA/GETTYLampard had to
endure the now
familiar ‘sacked in
the morning’ chant
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