After losing to Swansea City last week, Manchester United responded well to beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford. It wasn’t easy for the Reds on the night, as they had to wait till the 66th minute to open the scoring.
After John O’ Shea fouled Radamel Falcao, the referee gave the penalty but accidentaly sent off wes Brown. Wayne Rooney however broke his duck by converting it calmly. Wayne Rooney scored another goal late on in the game from a rebound to seal the deal. Let us look at the players ratings:
Manchester United
David Degea – 7/10
In the first half when Sunderland had more shots on target than United, Degea had to be on his toes to keep them out, which he managed with relative ease.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
With United having most of the possesion, the full-backs priority was to attack than defend and Valencia was up for the task. He was a regular threat on the right side.
Chris Smalling – 6/10
Apart from few nervy moments in the game the defenders hardly had much to defend on the night. Smalling did well whenever called upon.
Jonny Evans – 5.5/10
Due to United’s domination on the night, the defenders priority was to involve more with the passing move, which he did well. However Evans looked shaky on the night.
Marcos Rojo – 6/10
The Argentine looks like the best among United defenders. He looked soild at back, however he did not offer much in attack.
Daley Blind – 6/10
He looked comfortable and his passing was decent on the night. However, he looked lightweight in the middle of the park. Blind is definitely not the replacement for Carrick.
Ander Herrera – 6.5/10
It wasn’t a spectacular performance from the Spaniard, however he continued his recent revival under Van Gaal this season. His passing was good and he regularly popped up front to add another body in attack.
Angel Di Maria – 5/10
The Argentine has to do a lot more to justify his huge price tag. He looked completely out of sorts against Sunderland. He was rightly replaced at half time.
Ashley Young – 7.5/10
He was United’s best source of attack on the night. He was a nightmare for Sunderland defenders with his sizzling runs on the left side.
Wayne Rooney – 8/10
Rooney finally ended his barrant goalless run with a well taken penalty and scored another from a rebound. He looked at his best in his favourite position.
Radamel Falcao – 6/10
Another game went without Falcao scoring, nonetheless the Colombian’s work rate was very good. He also played a crucial role in winning the penalty.
Substitutes
Adnan Januzaj (45′) – 7/10
He came on for the ineffective Di Maria and was direct with his approach. It was from his shot United got the second goal.
Maroune Fellaini (68′) – 5/10
With United having the game under their control by the time he came on, Fellaini’s heading prowess wasn’t required on the night. Nonetheless, he helped the Reds see out the game.
Juan Mata (86′) – N/A
Hardly any time to make an impact.
Sunderland
Costel Pantilimon – 7/10
The keeper did a good job in between the sticks and kept everything out that was hit at him. He cannot be blamed for both the goals.
Anthony Reveillere – 5/10
He had a horrid time against Young on the night. He found it difficult to control the winger on his own on that side of the field. He also offered little in attack.
Wes Brown – 6/10
He was unfortunate to be sent off in the second half. He defended resolutely and looked soild in the back up until being sent off.
John O’Shea – 5/10
It was his foul for which referee mistakenly sent Brown off the pitch. Also he was lucky to not concede an own goal in the first half when his block came off the post.
Patrick Van Aanholt – 5/10
Just like his full-back partner, he had a difficult time on the wide areas as most of United’s attack came from the flanks. However he offer good threat with his pace.
Lee Cattermole – 6/10
He sat in front of his defenders and offered good support for his centre backs. But, he did not go forward much.
Sebastien Larsson – 6/10
His workrate was good and defended admirably well, however he too offered little in the attacking third.
Jordi Gomez – 5/10
With United having more ball, his priority was to defend and he did that well. However like many of his teammates he offered little in the attack.
Adam Johnson – 5/10
The former Manchester City winger enjoyed a lot of space in the first half, however his final shot or pass let him down.
Conor Wickham – 6/10
He got an early chance and he produced a good shot to test Degea. But, that was the closest he came to score. He tracked back the defenders well.
Jermain Defoe – 5/10
He had couple of good chances in the first half, but was unable to make the most of it. In the second half along with his team, he faded away.
Substitutes
Santiago Vergini (67′) – 6/10
He slotted in Brown’s vacated position and defended well.
Danny Graham (67′) – 5/10
Came on for Defoe, but couldn’t do much on the night.
Steven Fletcher (81′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Image courtesy: Manutd and Dailymail