The top four is United’s to lose now as they generated a mammoth eight point lead over their rivals Liverpool. Following Liverpool’s defeat at Emirates, United made the most of it by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at home to gain a grip hold of the coveted top four positions. Let us look at how the players performed on the evening:
Manchester United
David De Gea – 5/10
De Gea endured a dip in performance in recent weeks. After being criticised by some for Sturridge’s goal, the Spaniard failed to keep out Benteke’s weak effort. He otherwise did well whenever he was called upon to clear the balls or collect the crosses.
Antonio Valencia – 7
His overlapping runs provide Manchester United great outlet from the wide area in the rightside. He also tracked back well while defending.
Phil Jones – 6.5/10
He continued his recent good performances to stay solid at back albeit missing his recent defensive partner Chris Smalling.
Marcos Rojo – 7/10
He was unlucky not to score in the first half with his wonder strike. He formed a good partnership with Jones and looked solid at the back. He also popped forward at every possible occasion.
Daley Blind – 7.5/10
Blind had an excellent game on the night. He provided the assist for United’s opener. He offered good support in his flank for his attackers. He also defended well.
Michael Carrick – 6/10
He sat in front of his defenders and distributed the ball neat and tidy from the back. He also defended well.
Ander Herrera – 8.5/10
The Spaniard carried on his recent good work to score the first and last goal of the match opener. He looked lively throughout the evening.
Maroune Fellaini – 5.5/10
Guzan made a great save to deny him a goal in the second half. He however gave the ball away easily.
Juan Mata – 6.5/10
He was not able to lighten the stage as he did against Liverpool in the last match. Nonetheless he did well in his job and linked well with his attackers. He also got an assist for Herrera’s second.
Ashley Young – 7/10
He was a constant threat with his pace and trickery. He came in and went out to cause Villa a lot of trouble. He also defended well.
Wayne Rooney – 7.5/10
He was unlucky not to get a penalty early on in the game. He got on the score sheet with a fantastic second goal. He also played a crucial role in United’s third.
Substitutes
Angel Di Maria (70′) – 6/10
It was from his cross, Rooney scored United’s second. But, he was not able to keep up the same level as he was unable to make the most even when he was in good positions.
Rademel Falcao (77′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Aston Villa
Brad Guzan – 7/10
He could not have done much with goals. He otherwise looked assured in-between the sticks. He looked solid in collecting or punching the crosses and also saved the shots well.
Alan Hutton – 5/10
With United dominating, he hardly had many chances to surge forward like he usually does. He was also shaky in defence. He was rightly replaced at break.
Jores Okore – 6/10
He looked solid in defence and organised his back-line well. However, he could have closed down Herrera for the opening goal.
Ciaran Clark – 5.5/10
He was lucky not to give an early penalty for a foul on Rooney. Otherwise he defended well and looked assured at back.
Matthew Lowton – 5/10
He had a torrid time against the overlapping runs of Valencia, also did not go forward as much.
Charles N’Zogbia – 4/10
He looked weak in defending and was not able to make a telling contribution in the final third. He was rightly taken off.
Carlos Sanchez – 6/10
He offered good support for his defenders by sitting in front of them and marked Fellaini well. But hardly made a notable contribution in the attacking third.
Fabian Delph – 6/10
He was not at his usual best, nonetheless he produced a tireless performance. He defended well and went forward at every possible occasion.
Andreas Weimann – 6/10
United found closing in down difficult due to his pace. He however couldn’t make the most of it as his final ball was not good.
Christian Benteke – 7/10
Benteke has made it two in two against Manchester United this season. He scored a late goal to give Villa hope. His physical presence was hot to handle for United defenders.
Gabriel Agbonlahor – 5/10
He defended well, but was unable to create much in attack which was his main job.
Substitute
L Bacuna (46′) – 5/10
He struggled against Young and did not go forward like his replacement.
N Baker (61′) – 6/10
He did help his defenders well after coming on. But couldn’t go forward much to trouble United fullbacks.
Joe Cole (77′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.