(A score of 6 is around average)

Andre Onana 7- Great, proactive save to deny Nicolas Jackson in the first half and some good passes in the buildup. Arguably could have gotten to Palmer’s tame shot but it was well-placed.

Diogo Dalot 7- Did an excellent job going forward and pushing Chelsea back with some quality crosses. A bit suspect defensively but Mudryk’s finishing let him off.

Victor Lindelof 6- Showed Palmer inside on his stronger foot from which he got the shot away. Worryingly subbed off at half-time.

Harry Maguire 6.5- A bit too eager to make a difference in the attacking box which left gaps in defence that was ultimately exploited by Palmer. Was good otherwise, especially cutting out Chelsea’s attack at the source by stepping up.

Luke Shaw 7.5- His importance to the team is remarkably clear with each game as he gets his form and fitness back. Makes other players look good with his progressive passing.

Scott McTominay 7.5- He did it again. Underwhelming for the whole game, came alive in the box at the right moment to score twice. The question is- Is the exchange for control in the middle for more goals worth it in the long run?

Sofyan Amrabat 7- Started shakily as he was hurried on the ball repeatedly leading to bad passes but grew into it as United bossed the proceedings.

Antony 7.5- His best game this season as he looked like a big upgrade over Rashford just by virtue of working hard. Fluffed some chances but good contributor to attacking moves. Won the penalty.

Alejandro Garnacho 8- The rise continued with another established performance as he gave Cucurella a torrid time. Things looked like happening every time he was on the ball.

Bruno Fernande 7- Missed a penalty to mark United’s great start to the game and that doesn’t happen often. That miss just summed up the season. Crucial in everything other phase, sometimes functioning as almost a one-man midfield.

Rasmus Hojlund 6- Largely anonymous as the wait for his first PL goal continues. Had an easy shot saved early on and couldn’t get on the end of other chances.

Substitutes:

Sergio Reguilon 7- Was a doubtful sub but added a lot of energy and thrust to United’s attacks after coming on. Perfect chaotic game for his skillset.

Marcus Rashford 6- Came on late but not much impact.

Jonny Evans 6- Not much impact. Came on to shore up the defence.

Erik ten Hag: The performance can’t be faulted, especially in an attacking sense as the forwards’ wastefulness prevented the scoreline from being comfortable. Midfield balance is still suspect.

The post Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea: Player Ratings appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

After the team’s calamitous loss at the hands of Newcastle last week, no doubt Erik ten Hag would have been keen to get maximum points and relieve some pressure that was mounting on him and his players.

The United boss started Andre Onana in goal.

In defence, Ten Hag gave the nod to Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw.

Sofyan Amrabat started as United’s deepest-lying midfielder, with Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay slightly ahead of him.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on the bench. There was no place in the starting XI for Marcus Rashford who was dropped to the bench.

Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Chelsea.

Questions remain about McTominay’s continued selection despite his goals

United took the lead in the 20th minute courtesy of McTominay, who found himself at the right place inside the Chelsea box to fire the ball into the back of the net, past the reach of a diving Robert Sanchez.

McTominay grabbed a second goal of the game in the second half to complete his brace when he headed in from a superb Garnacho cross.

However, beyond the goals, it could be argued the Scotland international did not offer much else, especially out of possession.

In truth, that has become the norm when McTominay is on the pitch – somehow manage to score but then disappear and contribute very little both on the ball and off it. It just so happens that against Chelsea, he clinched two goals that were enough to win the game.

Far too often, Chelsea managed to easily cut through United’s midfield and were it not for the fact they lack quality up front, the Blues could have hurt United much more.

Indeed, Chelsea’s equalizing goal after McTominay’s opener came from Mauricio Pochettino’s men moving up the pitch into United territory almost unopposed before Cole Palmer beat Onana with a cheeky finish.

It’s highly likely that if Chelsea had more quality up front, the Red Devils would have been made to pay more dearly for just how open they were in the middle of the park.

On more than one occasion, Fernandes and McTominay bombed forward in search of goalscoring opportunities and left huge tracts of space behind them.

At times, Amrabat found himself isolated and with multiple rival players to cover alone.

United have found it very difficult to control games and assert dominance due to the imbalance in midfield. A section of fans have questioned whether McTominay’s goals justify the chaos his continued inclusion in the team brings.

Going forward, United might be better served by prioritizing midfielders that bring balance or properly structuring the team to accommodate McTominay in a way that does not leave the side open and susceptible to conceding easy chances. It’s clear Ten Hag values his goals, especially during a season in which the forwards are not really firing.

Slightly improved performance by Antony

Against Galatasaray, Antony was praised for producing one of his best performances since joining United.

He didn’t get the opportunity to build up on the positive display in Istanbul when United lost at St James’ Park just days later.

However, Ten Hag put faith in him vs. Chelsea and the Brazilian was good.

He won a penalty in the early stages of the match but it ultimately didn’t count for much as Fernandes missed from the spot-kick.

The 23-year-old was a constant pain in the backside for Levi Colwill and Thiago Silva all game. Antony’s passing was crisp and he was probably one of the few players from either team who seemed calm and composed enough to deliver the ball to its intended target.

The United forward had a few sights of goal and should have perhaps got on the score sheet in the second half when his left-foot shot flew just inches wide of Sanchez’s goal.

Antony also got United high up the pitch well and won some crucial fouls.

More significant is that he executed his defensive responsibilities well and helped out Dalot when required to do so.

Against Newcastle, Rashford came under intense criticism for a perceived lack of effort and disinterest in helping out defensively – certainly, no one can make such an accusation against Antony who did well vs. Chelsea.

He wasn’t as dangerous and threatening as Garnacho was, but Antony earned himself some plaudits.

Hopefully, Antony carries on in the same vein and starts showing why Ten Hag sanctioned a big-money move for him in the summer of 2022.

Reguilon’s introduction helped United get over the line

During the interval, Ten Hag took off an uninspiring Lindelof and replaced the Swede with Sergio Reguilon.

This meant that Shaw was moved to slot right next to Maguire at the heart of the United backline.

Reguilon was an extremely positive change.

Beyond the energy he injected, the Spaniard helped out a lot going forward. He participated in attacking phases much more than the reserved Lindelof.

Reguilon also combined well with Garnacho, and most of United’s chances came down their side.

The two put in some nice crosses. Regulion also constantly overlapped to either create space for Garnacho or drag the full-back wider to create gaps.

With Tyrell Malacia out, Ten Hag will be pleased that he can count on Reguilon to contribute when called up.

The post Three things we learned as Scott McTominay’s sensational brace secures 2-1 win for Man United vs. Chelsea appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Manchester United’s list of absentees has blighted their progress this season and left manager Erik ten Hag under pressure at Old Trafford.

United are slowly getting players back to fitness but with the festive fixtures coming thick and fast, it could be too little, too late for the Dutch coach.

Captain Bruno Fernandes has been ever-present for his manager this campaign but could find himself suspended for one of the crunch upcoming games.

As reported by The Mirror, Fernandes is just one more yellow card away from a one game ban in the Premier League.

The midfielder has picked up four bookings so far this season and one more will see him miss the subsequent fixture.

What makes avoiding the suspension even more important for United is the nature of the fixtures on the horizon.

United face trips to Liverpool and West Ham as well as hosting high-flying Aston Villa before the New Year and given Fernandes’ importance to the side, Ten Hag will be desperate to see the player avoid a caution in the coming weeks.

Bournemouth also visit Old Trafford in December and should Bruno pick up a yellow card during Wednesday’s game against Chelsea, he will miss that fixture.

A cynical mind would see that the Bournemouth game is the easiest to navigate without the skipper and missing that game at Old Trafford would be the least damaging to the side.

Furthermore, a booking in the Bournemouth game would mean he misses the trip to Anfield, arguably the fixture he will most want to avoid missing.

Given the way Fernandes plays, it would be a surprise to see him get through the festive fixture list unscathed.

Ten Hag will surely be reminding his captain to pay extra care in the upcoming games to ensure he is available for the festive schedule.

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Erik ten Hag’s men were thoroughly outplayed in all departments of the game and could only feel lucky that the scoreline wasn’t worse for them.

However, ESPN’s Rob Dawson now reports that the manager and captain Bruno Fernandes were not happy with one call and confronted the referee afterwards.

They went to referee Robert Jones in his room after the game and asked him why Fabian Schar hadn’t been sent off for his challenge on Fernandes.

The Newcastle defender had stepped on Fernandes’ leg in a tackle that looked ugly during the game.

However, even after VAR had a look at the incident, no further action was deemed necessary by the officials, causing fury among the United players.

United have regularly been on the wrong side of official decisions this season and a case can be made that this was another one.

They hardly threatened the Newcastle goal when facing 11 players so the team might well have a point if they think that the game could have been different against 10 players.

Marcus Rashford was sent off in the Champions League at Copenhagen for an even more innocuous challenge than the one Shar committed on Fernandes.

It is not clear yet what the referee’s reply to the pair was when they went into the game.

However, one thing is clear, and that is United can’t feel sorry for themselves based on one refereeing decision when they were way below par for the whole 90 minutes.

The standard of refereeing in England is hardly a cause for celebration, but their own performances this season are a bigger concern.

The post Bruno Fernandes and Erik ten Hag demanded explanation from the referee after Newcastle game appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The goalkeeper has endured a tough few days following his abysmal performance against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to conclude Onana single-handedly (albeit, with both hands on occasion) cost his side all three points in the crucial fixture.

A win would have left United second in the group with a strong chance of qualification to the knockout stages.

Instead, a draw leaves them bottom, needing to beat Bayern Munich in their final game while also needing Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen to finish level.

Any other variation of results and United will be eliminated from Europe’s premier tournament.

These mistakes were not Onana’s first in the competition, however.

In the reverse home match against Galatasaray, the Cameroonian international made a dreadful pass out from the back which the opposition easily intercepted and bore down on goal.

In response, Casemiro desperately slid in to try and rectify his team-mate’s mistake. The result was a red card and a penalty. United were winning 2-1 at the time; they finished 3-2 losers.

Similarly, in the first match away to Bayern Munich, while fielding a severely weakened side due to injury, United started the game brightly, matching the German giants for the first twenty minutes.

This equality ended after a speculative shot by Leroy Sane was calamitously thrown into his own net by Onana. United would ultimately lose the match 4-3.

The criticism and pressure on the goalkeeper has been acute this week. Which has clouded what had been a series of excellent performances domestically by Onana.

United have won five of their last six league games, winning all three in November. A combination of favourable fixtures and the international break have undoubtedly played a significant role in this statistic, but Onana has consistently played well in the past two months since the Galatasaray howler at Old Trafford.

While Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered some embarrassing losses – 3-0 to City, 3-0 to Newcastle and 4-3 to FC Copenhagen – these have all stemmed from errors elsewhere on the pitch.

In November specifically, Onana did not concede a goal in the league. He leads the league in joint-first place for clean sheets while his underlying stats have been equally impressive – first place for save percentage and second for post-shot expected goals, goals prevented and overall saves.

Andre Onana’s Premier League stats so far:

13 games
78.8% save rate [=]
51 saves []
5 clean sheets [=]
+3.4 post-shot expected goals [=]
2.67 goals prevented []

Underrated. pic.twitter.com/zM9S0yfUKB

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 27, 2023

In fact, these performances were enough to warrant inclusion by WhoScored for their Premier League Team of the Month, alongside Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.

Premier League Team of the Month pic.twitter.com/03ttsfIMae

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 30, 2023

While Wednesday’s performance against Galatasaray was undeniably poor and questions can justifiably be raised about Onana, there is enough evidence over the past month to offer glimmers of positivity he will able to turn his Old Trafford career around.

The post Andre Onana selected in Premier League ‘Team of the Month’ appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United seemed to be cruising early in the first half after two sensational opening goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.

However, a blunder from Onana just before the break saw Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick roll into the back of the net to cut down Galatsaray’s deficit.

After the interval, United restored their two-goal advantage through Scott McTominay who managed to get on the end of a superb cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Just minutes later and for the second time in the match, Onana made a massive howler from another Ziyech free-kick to gift the Moroccan winger a brace.

20 minutes before normal time elapsed, the Cameroonian was arguably at fault again when Kerem Akturkoglu’s thunderous striker flew past him for Galatasaray’s all-important equalizing goal.

It was a night to forget for Onana, who seemed to be turning a corner but has now suffered a major setback in his attempts to finally settle at Old Trafford.

Fernandes spoke about the shot-stopper’s errors and gave his verdict. The Portugal international said, “Onana knows how to manage these moments, it has happened in the past already. It happens.”

“He knows he needs to do better as every one of us needed to do better for us to leave here with a good result.”

“It’s not only because of him that we leave with a bad result, but everyone should be accountable for their responsibilities. I take my responsibility, we have to get better.”

Entrevista pós-frustração com Bruno Fernandes, artilheiro e líder de assistências do Manchester United na temporada. Complicado lidar com a chateação depois de tantas oportunidades para sorrir. pic.twitter.com/82erTFOV2g

— Fred Caldeira (@fredcaldeira) November 30, 2023

The United skipper further stated that his side the Red Devils need to manage games better and stop conceding so many cheap goals.

He also bemoaned some of the players’ decision-making, especially in the final third when it matters the most.

Fernandes remarked, “Although we should’ve scored many more goals, we made too many bad decisions during the final minutes, we have to be more clever and look at our teammates who are in better positions.”

The post “He knows he needs to do better”: Bruno Fernandes opens up on Andre Onana’s calamitous display vs. Galatasaray appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The former United midfielder criticised the current one for not taking responsibility for his role in the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray last night. 

The result leaves United’s hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Champions League dangling by a thread, with Erik ten Hag’s side needing both a victory over Bayern Munich in the final fixture, as well as Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen to draw.

It feels unlikely even to the most optimistic of fans.

In the aftermath of last night’s game which appeared, at times, to resemble two amateur boxers swinging wildly with no care for technique in the twelfth round, Fernandes admitted United have fallen foul of the same mistakes they had in previous Champions League matches.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the captain revealed: “It was another game where we could have closed the game. We had too many chances, as I’ve said, and mistakes by ourselves. It’s too bad, to be honest.”

“I don’t want to be too negative, but what we’ve been doing in the Champions League is not enough. We have to control our games every time, it’s not the first game we’ve had like this,” Fernandes rued.

While any objective analyst may look at those comments and think they are a fair assessment of yesterday’s match, Scholes took a different approach in the TNT Studio.

The former midfield maestro turned average pundit asserted: “I know in his interview he is talking about mistakes, but he made two big mistakes tonight by giving two stupid fouls away that lead to two goals.”

Fernandes conceded both free-kicks which ultimately led to Galatasaray scoring twice to claw their way back into a game United had appeared in firm control of. This, of course, ignores the absolutely calamitous errors by Andre Onana for both of these free-kicks; efforts which have no business every becoming goals at Sunday League level, let alone the most illustrious competition in club football.

Scholes went on to contend that the “full team, including himself as the captain, have to take responsibility – it’s a game they should win.” Fernandes’ constant use of the subject pronoun ‘we” in his post-match interview would normally indicate a person accepting his role within a wider group but maybe Scholes knows something different.

The fact United’s performance had looked so promising prior to Onana’s mistakes was also, in large part, because of Fernandes’ brilliance going forward. A superb one-two with Rasmus Hojlund allowed the Portuguese midfielder to assist Alejandro Garnacho’s opener, before his own emphatic rocket from thirty yards into the top corner put United two-nil up.

Scholes did not seem keen to acknowledge either of these contributions, nor lay the responsibility for either of Galatasaray’s free-kicks solely at the feet (or lack of hands) of Onana.

The post Paul Scholes’ bizarre assessment of Bruno Fernandes’ interview appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United got off to a fantastic start courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes who gave the team a two-goal lead.

Hakim Ziyech pulled one back for Galatasaray before the break. The Moroccan winger got on the score sheet once more in the second half after a massive blunder from Andre Onana.

Galatasaray would eventually go on to grab the all-important equalizing goal 20 minutes before the final whistle.

Towards the end, both teams had golden chances to score and run out winners but neither outfit could make any of their clear-cut opportunities stick.

For United, Facundo Pellistri came close on multiple occasions but the substitute could not find the back of the net. Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay also had sights of goal but like Pellistri, couldn’t bury their respective chances.

After the game, Fernandes spoke to TNT Sports (via The Mail) and gave his verdict on United’s performance.

The captain said, “It’s really hard. We conceded really bad goals. We have to take control of the situations in all of them. We were on top of the game twice and we had far too many chances to have the game closed. We were not clinical enough.”

When asked why United regularly surrender their leads during games, Fernandes was at pains to give a definitive answer.

He remarked, “It’s too hard to be honest, I don’t want to be too negative. But what we have been doing in the Champions League is not enough. It is not the first game we’ve had like this. We have to secure the result.”

He continued, “We have to understand in these types of games and stages we have to be smart enough and manage the game better.”

“Everyone has to step up and take responsibility of their own mistakes. Now we don’t depend on ourselves but it is what it is.”

The post “We have to be smart”: Bruno Fernandes gives brutal verdict on Man United’s 3-3 draw vs. Galatasaray appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Andre Onana 3- A nightmare game for the Cameroonian as he was wrong-footed for the first goal and was even worse for their second, letting the ball squirm under him. Goalscorer Hakim Ziyech will be thanking him.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7- An unassuming game where he managed Zaha well enough defensively, and assisted McTominay’s goal with a smart low cross.

Harry Maguire 7- The renaissance is real, and it looks like it’s here to stay. Another strong game with his usual proactive defending, shot-blocking and secure passing.

Victor Lindelof 6- He again looked a bit outmatched in physical duels with Icardi and was found wanting against his movements but performed well enough overall.

Luke Shaw 7- His value to the side is clear to see as he regularly looked to play the ball forward, cut out attacks with smart interceptions, and provided new passing angles with his left foot.

Sofyan Amrabat 3 – Another game where it looked like he was bypassed too easily and after Mainoo’s performance on the weekend, his display looks even more underwhelming.

Scott McTominay 6.5- A central midfielder in name only as he ventured forward regularly as a goal threat. Not the one to provide calmness and ball retention. Good involvement in the buildup for United’s first and scored the third himself.

Antony 7- An upturn from his recent displays as he acted as a release valve from Galatasaray’s pressure multiple times with enterprising runs from his own half. Hope for a turning point from here on.

Bruno Fernandes 8- A true captain’s display as he scored one, assisted another, and was all over the pitch in attack, defence, and stringing the midfield. Deserved to win the game.

Alejandro Garnacho 7.5- The hot streak continued with another great finish, this time with his weaker left foot, for United’s first. Showed a more complete game sense as well with his tracking back.

Rasmus Hojlund 6.5- Fashioned some good chances for himself and his teammates with classic centre-forward play.

Substitutes:

Kobbie Mainoo 6.5- Picked up from where he left off against Everton with simple, smart play. Brought calm in a chaotic midfield.

Anthony Martial 5- A player with Martial’s lackadaisical style of play had no place being subbed on in such a high-intensity game. Tracked back to good effect sometimes but looked a step slower than the action.

Facundo Pellistri 5- Missed a clear-cut chance to win it late on. Involved in multiple good attacking moments but chose the wrong option almost every time.

Diogo Dalot 5.5- Almost involved in the goal after coming on late but not much impact otherwise. Was put on skates by Zaha in defence.

Manager rating:

Erik ten Hag 6- No manager can account for two howlers from the goalkeeper and one questionable goal. Still, the inability of this team to manage games is somewhat on the manager.

The post Galatasaray 3-3 Manchester United: Player Ratings appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The United skipper was speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s crunch game in Turkey, which is a must-win if his side wants to stay in the competition.

“Obviously for us it’s really important to be in the competition, we want to be in the middle of the best clubs in Europe,” he said.

“It’s obviously disappointing if we don’t go through, but I’m not thinking on that at the moment. I’m just focused on the game against Galatasaray because the only way we can go through is by beating Galatasaray and going to the last game with a chance to go through.

“So our focus at the moment is on winning this game.

“The atmosphere will be intense but as a kid you enjoy and you want to be in this kind of stages, big stadiums, big atmospheres so you just have to enjoy the challenge.

Attention then turned to his captaincy style and what he thought about the criticism from fans about it.

“No, obviously you don’t like to be criticised but at the same time I have to do what I think is the best for the team,” he responded.

“It’s normal since I arrived at the club, when I first arrived, because you’re doing something different, it’s all flowers, but after those first games … the expectations are always higher and higher.

“Not keeping the same number on assists or goals sometimes is a problem for me in the criticism because they’re going to take from there, now it’s the captaincy, so they’re gonna focus on that.

“But I am open and so far everyone is pretty happy with my leadership,” he said.

Fernandes was also asked about Alejandro Garnacho’s wonder-goal, an overhead kick, against Everton.

“We expect moments like that from Garnacho, he’s a special kind of talent that can have moments like that to help us win games,” he said.

“Pellistri’s also capable to do it, Rasmus [Hojlund] is also capable.”

The skipper was asked if it is true that Garnacho has been training overhead kicks.

“I don’t know if he’s been training that but it’s probably not very good for his back!” he laughed.

He was then asked if he thought Garnacho could become one of the best players in the world.

“I’m more happy for his work off the ball against Everton, it was for me the best game he has done until now, he was amazing on that,” he replied.

“When he puts together that with his qualities to score goals and help the team up front, he’s gonna be such a good player.

“He’s already a great player, but for his age and talent, he can be much better than he is already.”

United’s match in Turkey kicks off at 17.45 GMT tomorrow.

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