Down The Wings

Manchester United Fan Blog

Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-0 Wolves

(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

It was a scraped victory for Manchester United as the Reds beat Wolves to open their Premier League campaign. After the first half proved to be a laborious watch as United failed to gain any control, the breakthrough came after the break.

It was Raphael Varane who broke the deadlock, getting on the end of a Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross to head home. United had 15 more minutes to try and double their lead but as per the run of play, found themselves clinging on to the win. Blocks from the likes of Luke Shaw and substitute Scott Mctominay combined with Andre Onana luck and heroics saw the Reds start the league season on the right foot.

Goalkeeper & defence

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Andre Onana: 8

For weeks it’s been levelled at Onana that he needs immense character to survive the tribulations of being United’s no.1. In tonight’s game the Cameroon international showed his more than capable of filling the gloves and shirt. His dominant presence and key saves, prevented an embarrassing start to the season for the Reds.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7

The right-back was United’s most positive outfield player for the length of the game. Wan-Bissaka started the game as if he was the only one ready for the season. His nicely weighted cross resulted in Varane’s winning goal.

Raphael Varane: 7

United’s midfield didn’t do him any favours in protecting the Frenchman hence him looking at sixes and sevens defensively. However, his goal won all three points for United.

Lisandro Martinez: 4

Martinez only played 45 minutes and rightly so as he never really looked up to speed with the game.

Luke Shaw: 6.5

It wasn’t the assured Luke Shaw we saw towards the latter stages of last season but his last minute blocks were enough to consider this a strong performance.

Midfield

Casemiro: 5

Casemiro’s performance was a huge worry. Not only didn’t he look sharp but his rash decisions to dive in on attackers put his defence under immense pressure. He’s definitely one to keep a close eye on this season.

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Mason Mount: 5

A disappointing showing from United’s new no.7. Not only were we confused by his role, so were we.

Bruno Fernandes: 6

Fernandes’ performance pretty much mirrored Mason Mounts at times as he seemed to have been missing some sharpness. However, his ingenious to chip the ball to Wan-Bissaka for him to cross created the winning goal.

Attack

Alejandro Garnacho: 4

The 19-year-old didn’t quite live up to the excitement that we all had about him starting pre game. His touch seemed off and he couldn’t seem to get the better of Nelson Semedo.

Antony: 5

Antony’s performance was similar to Garnacho where nothing he tried seemed to work. In Antony’s case there were some good occasions when he beat his man on the outside but the final ball left a lot to be desired.

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Marcus Rashford: 4

Rashford cut a frustrated figure all game. He was isolated, to no fault of his own but when he did find himself in possession, he did nothing with it.

Substitutes

Victor Lindelof: 6

The Swede didn’t put a foot wrong after being introduced at half time.

Jadon Sancho: 6

Sancho was positive when he came on and seems to be one of few United attackers capable of doing anything on the ball.

Christian Eriksen: 5

Scott Mctominay: n/a

Facundo Pellistri: n/a

Founder of Down The Wings, William Bititbiri on the Podcast

Founder, Editor, Writer.

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