FA Cup final: Player ratings for Manchester United vs Chelsea

Manchester United winger Alexis Sanchez (Photo: AFP)


Chelsea did just about enough to see off an insipid Manchester United side in the FA Cup final on Saturday, with the Blues running out 1-0 winners thanks to Eden Hazard’s 22nd-minute penalty.

The tie in the English capital saw plenty of top stars live up to their billing, but some had outings to forget.

Here are The Statesman’s player ratings from an intense fixture at Wembley Stadium:

Manchester United

David de Gea

Didn’t have much to do all night, made one decent stop from Hazard but was powerless when the Belgian stroked home the penalty.


Rating: 6/10

Ashley Young

Defensively held his own, but what was he doing when he was near the Chelsea box?

Awful crosses and a player of his experience should definitely do better.

Rating: 5/10

Chris Smalling

An okay performance, not at fault for the opener.

Shackled Olivier Giroud fairly well.


Rating: 6/10

Phil Jones

How is he in Gareth Southgate’s England squad?

Don’t be surprised if Mourinho sells him first in the summer after his horror show.


Rating: 4/10

Antonio Valencia

Like Young, did fine work defensively but the end product from  modern-day fullback can’t be found lacking in a cup final.

Chelsea defended easily against his one-dimensional


Rating: 5/10

Ander Herrera

Started off well, but Eden Hazard eventually gave him the runaround as the game progressed.

Stuck to his task gamely enough though.


Rating: 6/10

Nemanja Matic

United’s Serbian enforcer did a decent job of shielding his defence at Wembley.

Could he have done more? Probably, but all in all he was decent.


Rating: 6/10

Paul Pogba

United fans are still waiting to see the Juventus version of Pogba on a consistent basis and on Saturday’s showing, they will have to wait another season.

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Struggled to unlock Chelsea’s defence and missed a gilt-edged chance at the end.


Rating: 5/10

Jesse Lingard

Showed plenty of purpose, but couldn’t quite make things happen for the Red Devils.

Rating: 5/10

Alexis Sanchez

Struggled to make an impact at a venue where’s he’s almost always shone.


Rating: 5/10

Marcus Rashford

Truth be told, just had half-chances all night, but if the United youngster wanted to prove to Mourinho he can lead United, he probably did the opposite.


Rating: 5/10

Substitutes

Romelu Lukaku

Clearly not fit and couldn’t find the equaliser for his side after replacing Rashford.

Rating: 6/10

Anthony Martial

Another abject performance off the bench from the talented Frenchman.

Clearly doesn’t want to play under Mourinho/at United.

Rating: 4/10

Juan Mata

Came on with barely any time left.

Rating: N/A

Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois

Made a string of stops to preserve his side’s clean sheet. The one from Jones in the second-half took the cake.


Rating: 9/10

Antonio Rudiger

Excellent outing from the German defender. Kept United’s attackers largely under wraps and showed his pace when nipping attacks in the bud.

Rating: 8/10

Cesar Azpilicueta

Another solid showing from Chelsea’s ‘Mr Dependable’.

Rating: 7/10

Gary Cahill

The Blues captain put in a good performance at the back.

Rating: 7/10

Marcos Alonso

Not a typically marauding display from the Chelsea wingback, but did well whenever his side didn’t have the ball.


Rating: 6/10

Tiemoue Bakayoko

This may seem silly, but the French midfielder looks like he’s settling well at Chelsea.


Rating: 6/10

N’Golo Kante

Give this guy two medals for he deserves it.

Was everywhere and didn’t let any of the United players breathe.


Rating: 9/10

Cesc Fabregas

While it would be harsh to say the Spaniard is a passenger, he simply doesn’t bring enough to the side anymore.

Faded alarmingly in the second-half.


Rating: 5/10

Victor Moses

Struggled to cope with Ashley Young, but did a decent job overall.


Rating: 6/10

Eden Hazard

Dazzled with his nifty footwork all game long and once again, was the difference in a high-profile game.

Won and scored the penalty.

Rating: 8/10

Olivier Giroud

Didn’t get the aerial service he thrives on, hence was largely anonymous.


Rating: 5/10

Substitutes

Alvaro Morata

Came on for Giroud with one minute left.

Rating: N/A

Willian

Sent on by Conte in injury-time to run down the clock.

Rating: N/A