Manchester United under Louis Van Gaal experienced their first ever back-back defeats in the league as United were soundly beaten 3-0 by Everton. After McCarthy scored within the opening five minutes, Everton went 2-0 up before the break. Miralas’s third goal deep into the second half sealed the game as a contest. Let us look at the players ratings from the match:
Everton –
Tim Howard – 7.5/10
Howard, former United keeper, was exceptional on the night. He hardly put a foot wrong and saved or clearned anything that was put at him. His distribution at times let him down.
Seamus Coleman – 6.5/10
He struggled defensively as Young got the better of him many times. However he went forward regularly to put in dangerous crosses from his flank.
John Stones – 8/10
Stones managed to get his name on the score sheet with a well placed header. The youngster formed a great partnership with his experienced colleague and did a great job against the Reds attackers.
Phil Jagielka – 7.5/10
He was a commanding figure at the back of the defence and blocked or cleared anything which was thrown at him. However, his distribution was not good.
Leighton Baines – 7/10
The English full-back was solid in defence and kept United’s threat under control in his side. It was from his corner, Everton grabbed the second
Gareth Barry – 7/10
He did a good job by sitting in front of Everton’s defence. His passing was good on the evening. Also he helped his defenders really well.
Aaron Lennon – 7/10
The Englishman continued his recent resurgence. Lennon, who is on loan from Spurs offered great pace in quick counter attacks. And, he also helped his defenders well in his side.
Ross Barkley – 7/10
Barkley did what his team needed from him, both in attack as well as defence. He also provided the assist for Mirallas goal.
James McCarthy – 7.5/10
McCarthy beat two United players to score Everton’s opener within the opening five minutes. He was a constant threat for United on the night, but gave the ball away often.
Leon Osman – 6/10
Osman work rate on the evening was great. Be it in defence or in attack, he was always available for his team and closed down United players quickly without giving them a moment’s peace. However, he didn’t make any meaningful contribution.
Romelu Lukaku – 6.5/10
Lukaku may not have scored in match, nonetheless United makeshift defenders struggled to cope with him. His huge physical presence was hard to contain for United defenders.
Substitutes
Kevin Mirallas (69′) – 7/10
For the second game running Mirallas scored in the same fixture. Assisted by Barkley, he finished the game and was lively after coming on.
Arouna Kone (87′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Steven Naismith (88′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10
He cannot be blamed for any of the goals. Although he could ahve done better with McCarthy’s opener. he otherwise did a fine job in between the sticks.
Anotonio Valencia – 5/10
Everton attackers gone behind him easily. The third goal came in similar fashion. He however offered great width in his side, but did not do the same in the defensive side of things.
Chris Smalling – 7/10
He was the only United defender who did a decent job on the evening. He stood tall when his fellow defenders were falling like a pack of cards. Especially the interception he made to prevent Lukaku from getting an easy tap-in in the first half highlighted his night.
Paddy McNair – 5/10
He could have done well with the opening goal scored by McCarthy as McNair looked too weak in defence. He struggled to keep up with Everton’s pace for most parts of the game.
Luke Shaw – 5/10
He did not build on the Chelsea performance as Shaw too was caught out of position many times in his flank as Coleman enjoyed great room in his side. However he did decent in attack.
Daley Blind – 5/10
He could have done well to help McNair with the opening goal. He was also not able to protect his defenders with Everton’s quick counter attacks. His passing was however neat and tidy.
Ander Herrera – 6.5/10
Just like Blind, Herrera also struggled to contain Everton’s quick attacks. Nonetheless he looked better than other United midfielders as Herrera atleast tried to do something with the ball.
Juan Mata – 6/10
He helped United retain the ball and thereby helped Red Devils enjoy vast amount of possession. However, he did not make any notable contribution with the ball and didn’t help his defenders much.
Maroune Fellaini – 5/10
Not a night to remember for the former Everton player. Fellaini missed a glorious chance to level in the first half and that was the best he managed on the night as Fellaini was not able to make the same kind of impact he recently managed and was making silly challenges which resulted in him getting cautioned in the first period. As a result Van Gaal replaced him at the break.
Ashley Young – 6.5/10
Young did well to offer good width on his side, but was not able to manage any meaningful contribution. He however defended well.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10
Rooney however could have had a goal at the start of the second half, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Howard. Rooney tried his best, unfortunately he was not able to help the team much as the lone striker or even when partnered with Falcao.
Substitutes
Radmel Falcao (45′) – 5/10
He came on to change United’s fortune in the second half, but was not able to manage it despite his lively performance.
Angel Di María (63′) – 5/10
The British record signing also was not able to change the team fortune on the night after coming on. He however put in decent crosses.
Robin van Persie (88′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
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