Player Ratings: Manchester United vs West Brom

Manchester United vs West Brom 1-0 | Premier League | Player Ratings

David de Gea: 7

De Gea proved once again that form is temporary and class is permanent. He pulled off a brilliant save at 0-0 which essentially resulted in us going ahead. His back post save 0-0 led to the counter that earned the penalty decision. If there was any sort of stat that could award goalkeepers for “decisive saves that lead to created chances” that was one. Clutch David de Gea at it’s finest.

Defence

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 4

Wan-Bissaka did not have a great game. Defensively, one on one we kn ow what he’s all about – there’s no beating him. However, when it comes to the back post awareness and positioning he seems to lack any sort of idea. The sve that David de Gea made came as a result of some poor positioning from Wan Bissaka. It seems to be a growing theme that teams double up on him and he really struggles with it.

Victor Lindelof: 6

The defence were left more exposed than they would’ve liked, but Lindelof was solid. Considering he was a doubt going into the game, he can come out of this one with his head held high.

Harry Maguire: 5

Maguire’s form has been brilliant over the past couple of months, going back to the Newcastle game he’s been impressive. Today he did a few good things, in the air he was dominant. Along the floor the sharpness wasn’t there, the ball did beat him a couple times leaving us weak at the back. We need him in tip top form going into the next stage of the season.

Alex Telles: 6

A long-awaited Premier League debut finally came to fruition for Alex Telles. Although not extraordinary, Telles showed that tenacity we’ve lacked at full-back. His crossing is dangerous, something we have seen before but I felt the lacklustre performance of the rest of the team did mean he couldn’t shine very brightly tonight.

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Midfield

Fred: 6

Fred had his typical energetic perfomance, in and around the box he was poor. His decision making around the box was woeful, he wasn’t playing as deep as usual so you’d want him to affect the game more but he didnt. Strangely playing slightly further forward his defensive play was impressive at times.

Nemanja Matic: 4

As much as I’ve been a strong advocate for Matic being in the team, he showed today why he’s been left out recently. Granted he probably needs a run of games but he did not look “at it”. He was gettting nutmegged, beat to second ball. Most of our problems today came from him not being able to be that calming presence he usually is, he set the tone for the sloppiness further forward.

Bruno Fernandes: 6

Bruno Fernandes wasn’t at his greatest today. he did lose the ball ALOT! but and there’s always a “but’ with Fernandes, he’s impact in getting “that goal”or assisting is unmatched. Despite not being very good he’ll always get on the stat sheet with a goal or assist and you can’t argue with that. While his penalty prowess seems to be worryingly fading with another missed one, he retook it due to keeper encroachment and smashed it in. More rival tears to come I’d assume.

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Attack

Juan Mata: 4

This was not the game for Mata. The assumption probably was that West Brom would sit back and absorb pressure so Juan Mata could pull the strings. West Brom actually tried to play and step out of their box. With their physical presence, and willing runners Mata just got overrun. Thew Spaniard did make good runs especially early on but it was quickly evident that he was out of his depth.

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Marcus Rashford: 5

Every time Rashford comes back from injury it seems as though the first match he plays within himself. He seemed reluctant to attack his opposing full-back straight up and spent most of the game playing it back to Telles. When he was moved to the right and was making those runs in behind his touch let him down. Hopefully with the quick succession of fixtures he regains his sharpness.

Anthony Martial: 6

The worrying thing with Martial now is that he’s not getting those goals that he’s been good at getting in the past. His finishing has always been that thing we can rely on but he’s not scoring even while linking play well. Ultimately as a striker, getting on the scoresheet is what you’re paid for and if he continues his sporadic goalscoring his place in the team will be well under threat.

Substitutes

Edinson Cavani: 6

Donny van de Beek: 6

Scott Mctominay: n/a