Man Utd Player Ratings: Garnacho Underwhelms Against Chelsea
Manchester United's hopes of a top-four finish took a hit at Stamford Bridge as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Chelsea. While the Red Devils did manage to snatch a point thanks to a late penalty from Casemiro, the performance was far from convincing, with several players failing to deliver on the big stage. Here's a look at how the players fared:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea (7/10)
De Gea was a calm presence throughout, making a couple of important saves, including a vital one to deny Enzo Fernández in the first half. While he couldn't prevent the opening goal, he made a crucial contribution in the second half with another decisive save to deny Carney Chukwuemeka.
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10), Raphael Varane (7/10), Lisandro Martínez (7/10), Luke Shaw (6/10)
The backline offered a solid performance, with Varane and Martínez forming a formidable partnership at the heart of the defense. Wan-Bissaka was reliable on the right side, while Shaw provided some attacking threat down the left flank.
Midfielders: Casemiro (8/10), Christian Eriksen (6/10), Bruno Fernandes (7/10)
Casemiro was the standout performer in the midfield, anchoring the team with his usual tenacity and composure. He was also the hero of the hour, converting the late penalty to salvage a point. Fernandes provided a constant threat going forward, while Eriksen was instrumental in keeping the midfield ticking.
Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (5/10), Marcus Rashford (6/10), Anthony Martial (6/10)
Garnacho was a disappointment, struggling to make an impact on the game. Despite creating a couple of promising opportunities, he was unable to truly test Kepa Arrizabalaga. Rashford and Martial provided a more consistent threat, with the latter combining well with Fernandes to create danger in the final third.
Substitutes: Wout Weghorst (6/10), Fred (6/10)
Both substitutes added energy and physicality to the team, with Weghorst holding up the ball well and Fred adding defensive solidity. However, their late introductions were not enough to spark a late winning goal.
Overall:
A frustrating draw for Manchester United, who were unable to break down a stubborn Chelsea defense. Casemiro's late penalty secured a valuable point, but the overall performance was underwhelming, with Garnacho notably failing to live up to expectations. This draw leaves United's top-four hopes precariously balanced, and they will need a much-improved performance in their upcoming games to maintain their push for Champions League qualification.