Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-2 Sheffield United

Manchester United 1-2 Sheffield United | Premier League | Player Ratings

David De Gea: 5

Barring the heroics early on to save a one-on-one against Billy Sharp, it was a night to forget for big Dave. For Sheffield United’s opener, you could argue he should’ve dominated his box better despite the push in the back. For the second his poor excuse for a clearance re invited pressure on the back four.

Defence

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6

Wan-Bissaka’s personal performance was positive. He had the freedom of the right-hand side and used it to his advantage. His crossing wasn’t the best but the right-back was a definite outlet for United.

Axel Tuanzebe: 4

Whether it was nerves due to getting dropped into the game last-minute or an eagerness to impress on his first Premier League start Tuanzebe was disappointing. One of Tuanzebe’s notable traits is his composure within the back but he was all over the place at the back. The Blades’ winner deflecting off his knee topped off a poor night.

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Harry Maguire: 6

The Captain was United’s best player. At the back, he was dominant winning headers at the back. Maguire even put United back in the game with a header. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t meant to be.

Alex Telles: 4

Alex Telles’ assist for Maguire’s header from a corner saves him from a more damning rating. On the ball, Telles was extremely safe and out of sync with his teammates, but what was most striking was his lack of effort. For Sheffield United’s second Telles moves half a yard in an attempt to disturb play and prevent a goal which at this level, at this football club is unacceptable.

Midfield

Nemanja Matic: 3

Matic in the side today seemed like a masterstroke. He could slot back in the midfield and just dictate from deep against a seemingly poor Sheff United. However, the Serb proved to be a liability. The energy of Fleck in midfield was too much for him, he made poor passing decisions and just didn’t look at the races. A poor showing.

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Paul Pogba: 5

Pogba started the game positively but ultimately faded out of the game. His work rate was maintained though which automatically put him above some of his teammates.

Bruno Fernandes: 5

A lot of effort but very little guile in Fernandes’ performance. He overhit passes and made some unfortunate decisions. But like Pogba Fernandes’ workfare set a standard that others failed to meet resulting in the loss. Fernandes was tracking back and putting in tackles against a physical Sheffield team.

Attack

Mason Greenwood: 5

Was very much on the fringes of proceedings but looked a threat when on the ball. The hope is his confidence wasn’t dented by his unfair substitution.

Marcus Rashford: 3

Rashford didn’t get into any duals, shanked his passes and didn’t track runners. His performance let his team down.

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Anthony Martial: 2

The worst performance on the park. Every time the ball came into him with his back to goal he seemed to turn over possession which meant United couldn’t build a strong foothold in the game. His tracking back or lack of tracking back for the second Sheffield United goal was a disgrace, especially since the Frenchman losing possession led to the goal. Just an overall lack of effort.

Substitutes

Edinson Cavani: 6

Donny Van de Beek: 6