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The Ruud van Nistelrooy train remains unbeaten, with a 1-1 win against Chelsea at Old Trafford being equal parts frustrating and promising.

The match started in a fairly end-to-end fashion without any clear-cut chances that either team would think they should have scored from.

United’s midfield was split open a couple of times as a threat but the fluid front line asked questions of Chelsea’s defence too through transition opportunities.

The teams went into half-time goalless with a promise for more as the game continued to threaten to boil over without ever really doing it.

That theme continued in the second half as the game became scrappy and played in the midfield or as moments, prompting switches from both sides to add a spark to the game.

Spark came before United made the change though, as Hojlund was clattered inside the box to hand United a penalty which Fernandes dispatched.

Chelsea hit back instantly to bring the game to life. There were chances for both teams afterward but no killer instinct as they were squandered to see the game finish 1-1.

Here’s how the players rated:

Andre Onana – 6

A couple of nervy moments while building from the back returned memories of last season.

Diogo Dalot – 4

Got carded for dangling a lazy leg in the first half and didn’t do much in attack either in a forgettable outing.

Matthijs de Ligt – 7

Goal-saving block from Palmer’s shot to prevent United from going behind before half-time. Calm and composed.

Lisandro Martinez – 6.5

Back to centre-back and fared well against the threat of Chelsea’s attackers as the midfield screen was split apart time and again with far too much ease.

Noussair Mazraoui – 9

Rounded off a sensational display by working hard in attack and defence. His recovery runs were crucial as the midfield was absent often and he even managed to bomb forward regularly in a complete performance.

Manuel Ugarte – 5

Was more disciplined positionally than Casemiro but that’s not a high bar to clear this game. Had his trial by fire in an intense game after showing form recently and he should be better for it in the long term.

Casemiro – 4

When the game is frantic, his age and eagerness to get forward still get exposed. Ruud van Nistelrooy repeatedly asked him to stay tight to Ugarte so this can’t be attributed to coaching as it was under Ten Hag.

Marcus Rashford – 6

Hit the bar in the first and was a threat with his directness at times but the final product missing.

Bruno Fernandes – 6

A come-down from the highs of midweek as he was back to his frustrating version where nothing he tries comes off. Fortunately, the most important thing did come off as he coolly tucked away the penalty to give United the lead.

Alejandro Garnacho – 5

Generally a beacon of reliability this season but let himself down with a couple of efforts that should have tested the goalkeeper more than they did. Undecided on the ball and made the wrong decision almost every time. Almost had the last laugh as his shot across the goal whisked over the post which summed up his day.

Rasmus Hojlund – 6.5

Started well by spinning the centre-backs and holding it up but got increasingly peripheral as the game became frantic. Won the penalty with quick feet to fool the goalkeeper into diving at his feet.

Substitutes

Amad – 6.5

In a position where he deserves to start but the players playing ahead of him haven’t done anything to get dropped. Another good cameo off the bench.

Joshua Zirkzee – 6

Did some good work linking up the play in an improvement from recent weeks. Clearly lacking confidence to be a killer in front of goal though.

Victor Lindelof – 6

Late change and had some good moments with assertive defending.

Manager

Ruud van Nistelrooy – 6

No glaring tactical errors that cost the team and the absent midfield was more down to Casemiro’s positional indiscipline rather than by design. Lived and kicked every ball with the players. Let down by a lack of killer instinct in front of goal. A fair result on the balance of play and perhaps even a positive one considering United’s recent form against in-form sides.