Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United: Player ratings

David de Gea 7

Pulled off a good save in vain to deny Cahill for the third goal, but was neither at fault nor exceptional from the others. His mindblowing saves do appear to be less frequent than last season, however.

Rafael 7

A difficult task to be left isolated against Eden Hazard but the Belgian only got the better of him once or twice, with Rafael holding his own and finding plenty of time to be a decent attacking force at the other end. Capped it off with an excellent two-footed leg-breaker at the end. A fine display from a fine player.

Jonny Evans 5

Not one of his better games, failing to be influential enough when United were on the back foot, although his distribution continues to be excellent.

Nemanja Vidic 2

Would have been lower had he not had the decency to get himself suspended for 3 games. Was his positioning for the second goal the worst individual piece of defending all season?

Patrice Evra 4

Not great, although not a total shocker either. Went off injured, after which United noticably lost some of the drive he brings to the side. Too much was created down his flank, however, even if he was not obviously directly culpable for it.

Phil Jones 2

Suggested in the lineups post that Darren Fletcher was a far better choice to start rather than risking Jones just back from injury, and so it proved. A woeful performance and he clearly looked well off the pace. What on earth is the point of saying Fletcher has only just come back when he's replaced with someone who hasn't played in weeks?

Michael Carrick 2

Another pitiful performance in a big game - every one of his fabled interceptions was followed up with an aimless hoof or hospital pass and was most responsible for United's chief failure to get the ball down and play it. Now Fletcher is back, what exactly is Carrick doing in any starting lineup? The Scot has superior distribution on current form and is a far better player at almost everything else.

Antonio Valencia 4

As usual, pressed well from the front but failed to provide any danger when going forwards whatsoever. Also was poor at covering Hazard. Needs to leave.

Adnan Januzaj 7

The only player capable of putting a decent pass or cross into the area, Januzaj was unfortunate not to bag any assists, and generally let down by his teammates. Not his best performance, but still head and shoulders above that of his teammates.

Ashley Young 4

Ineffective, blunt, and generally anonymous.

Danny Welbeck 6

Some superb pressing and link-up play, but couldn't quite read Januzaj in order to get on the end of one of his many centres. Virtually blameless but could have done more.