Paul Merson hails four ‘outstanding’ Manchester United stars after Chelsea win

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Manchester United quartet Scott McTominay, Antony, Sofyan Amrabat and Alejandro Garnacho were singled out for praise by Paul Merson after Wednesday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea.

There were plenty of raised eyebrows when the team news filtered through last night.

No Marcus Rashford. No Kobbie Mainoo. Antony back in the XI, and the continuation of a Sofyan Amrabat – Scott McTominay midfield partnership which has been the subject of much debate.

By the time the full time whistle rang around Old Trafford however, you’d be hard pressed to find a single Manchester United supporter questioning Erik Ten Hag’s team selection. This was arguably United’s most complete performance of the entire campaign, the eventual 2-1 scoreline flattering Chelsea rather than a Red Devils side who mustered 28 shots and posted an XG of over four.

Scott McTominay fires Manchester United to victory

“I thought they were very good tonight,” Merson, the former Arsenal star, told Sky Sports after Man United extended their unbeaten Premier League run over Chelsea to 12 games.

“Their attitude was spot on tonight. It was embarrassing at Newcastle (on Saturday). But tonight they were outstanding, Absolutely outstanding. They closed Chelsea down and they took the ball off them umpteen times.”

Antony is still awaiting his first goal or assist of 2023/24 but he was electrifying on the right. Ditto Garnacho on the opposite flank, assisting Scott McTominay’s second of the game with an inch-perfect cross with around 25 minutes to go.

Amrabat, meanwhile, produced a performance reminiscent of his bone-crunching displays for Morocco at the Qatar World Cup.

Amrabat and Antony silence critics

“I thought they were very good,” Merson adds. “They’ve set the bar. I’d be shocked if Rashford played this weekend. (Ten Hag) put a team out tonight under severe pressure to turn up against Chelsea and they all performed, they all closed down well.

“The two wingers were very good. Amrabat was like he was in a Morocco shirt. They were absolutely outstanding.

“I think (McTominay’s) record now, it’s his best return in the Premier League and we’re not even halfway through! He’s been outstanding. Fair play to him. Great attitude.”