Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd: No skill, no chances, no fun in Stamford Bridge borefest

Chelsea and Manchester United served up their second dreadful 0-0 draw of the season against one another as viewers were served up to a match lacking in any kind of goalmouth action.

Thomas Tuchel rang the changes for the Blues with Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech given rare slots in the starting XI, while for Manchester United, Dan James was drafted in from the start, as was Mason Greenwood.

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd Player Ratings: Christensen and De Gea the standouts as defences are on top

But whether it's the intensity of the calendar or just a desire not to lose big matches, both of these sides refused to overcommit, with Tuchel's side just shading it in terms of application, but not by much in terms of tangible chances.

Olivier Giroud was within a whisker of connecting with a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross in the first half, while the winger himself had a volley which fizzed wide of the post.

But the only talking point was a VAR referral for handball against Hudson-Odoi in a coming together with Greenwood. The ball brushed the arm of both players but the decision was taken not to award the penalty.

In the second half, even less happened in either penalty area. A Ziyech shot after an enterprising run from Chilwell was comfortably parried away by David de Gea, while a superb Victor Lindelof clearance denied substitute Timo Werner a tap-in at the back post.

But like many United matches against their perceived rivals, this will not live long in the memory. Players seem to be running on empty, and fans' desire to watch spectacles as poor as this seems to be going the same way.

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd Player Ratings: Christensen and De Gea the standouts as defences are on top

Match Excitement Rating: 3.1