Old Trafford has certainly become a fortress for Manchester United and it was clearly evident when archrivals Liverpool arrived to face Jose Mourinho’s team. The victory means that the Red Devils are now five points above Liverpool in the second place and look the likeliest to grab the second spot in the league at the end of the season. Courtesy of two early first-half goals by Marcus Rashford, Manchester United went ahead in the game and managed to withstand a second-half onslaught from Liverpool without too many hiccups. Let’s see how the players fared in this game:
David de Gea: 8/10
Hardly had to make any saves in the game and it was a relatively quiet afternoon for him as Liverpool failed to breach the final frontier by themselves. However, with the ball at his feet, de Gea weaved magic by taking two long punts that resulted in goals.
Antonio Valencia: 6/10
Closed down the right flank and dominated his side with sheer strength and positional awareness whilst also making some crucial last-ditch tackles.
Eric Bailly: 7.5/10
Bailly made a cruising comeback from injury as he had a stellar game until conceding that horrible own goal to cut down the lead to one. Otherwise, he was strong in the air, quick on his feet and was unafraid to put his body on the line.
Chris Smalling: 7/10
Smalling made some crucial interceptions, as he was well positioned to read the attacks. Smalling also made some good challenges inside the box and kept his calm ultimately during the corners in the dying embers of the game.
Ashley Young: 8/10
Young had a terrific game in defence as he kept Mo Salah in his pocket by effectively dealing with every trick that the Egyptian had up his sleeve. He created some good chances going ahead too and had a good game overall.
Nemanja Matic: 7/10
Matic controlled the tempo of the game by running the show from deep whilst effectively breaking down opposition attacks. He was an assured presence on the field and helped his team to deal with Liverpool’s high pressing midfield.
Scott McTominay: 7/10
McTominay did the dirty work as he won half-duels, got into aerial battles and moved the ball ahead at times too.
Marcus Rashford: 9/10
Rashford again stepped up in a big game and scored two clinical goals. The young lad had a game to remember and was at the centre of every attacking move in the first half by Manchester United.
Alexis Sanchez: 7/10
One of his better games in a United shirt as the Chilean was threatening on the counter attacks and was always willing to win the ball back from the opposition.
Juan Mata: 7/10
Mata did a lot of defensive work though he as productive on the attacking front too. His ability to find spaces and get the ball into them was troublesome for Liverpool’s defence.
Romelu Lukaku: 7/10
Lukaku was extremely crucial in the build-up to both of Rashford’s goals as he won the long balls by de Gea and created the goalscoring chances.
Substitutes:
Marouane Fellaini: 6/10
Fellaini nearly scored a goal but the big Belgian was sent to beef up the midfield and to win more aerial duels in the final stages of the game.
Jesse Lingard: 6/10
Lingard was sent on to add a runner in the side and to add more cover to the second line of defence.
Matteo Darmian: N.A