A comedy of errors at Old Trafford tonight, with mistakes from Dubravka, Schar and Sean Longstaff gifting Man Utd a comfortably victory in the end.
Here’s an assessment of each player’s performance along with our marks out of 10:
STARTING 11:
Dubravka – 3 – Should’ve done much better with Martial’s shot, tipping it into the side netting at his near post. Sean Longstaff was the blame for their 4th, but I thought he could’ve done more to stop Martial, with him failing to stay big or capitalise on his poor second touch. A rare off day for the Slovakian.
Manquillo – 5 – One of our better defenders today, but that isn’t saying much. Didn’t make the mistakes others did and had the odd decent burst forward with the ball. Very average based on his superb displays recently, but there were plenty worse than him in black and white today.
Schar – 3 – Made awful mistake for Man Utd’ second, passing the ball to Greenwood in a bad area just moments before his goal to make it 2-1. He didn’t cover himself in glory for their third either, being out-jumped by Rashford a little too easily at the back post. Sloppy defensively and wasteful on the ball.
Fernandez – 4 – Was left exposed too often by our midfield and struggled as a result. Was unfortunate to have helped Greenwood’s deflected shot on its way in via a deflection. Poor by the standards he’s set recently.
Lejeune – 5 – Did OK amongst a bad bunch. Distribution was mixed, yet was one of few who didn’t make any clear mistakes. Below his best but lasted the 90 minutes well in what was just his second appearance since April.
Willems – 4 – Pretty poor based on the high standards he’s set this season. Looked a bit sluggish on the ball and was beaten a little too easily by Wan-Bissaka before he crossed for Rashford’s goal to make it 3-1. An off day for the Dutchman.
M. Longstaff – 6 – Took his goal very well, making another good run forward and slotting it into the bottom corner, but he and Sean were often caught out of position in transition, leaving our defence exposed when we lost the ball. Plenty of running and commitment, one moment of quality and he certainly didn’t hide, but he showed his youthful inexperience at times. Would’ve given him a lower mark if it wasn’t for his goal.
S. Longstaff – 3 – Chased shadows in the middle for most of it and made an awful mistake which led to their 4th, with his under hit back-pass putting Martial clean through. We were outnumbered in midfield but he looked a little off the pace – both on and off the ball. Man Utd will be glad they didn’t pay £50m for him on this evidence.
Almiron – 6 – Looked sharp and more confident on the ball when he got it, but wasn’t able to get into the game quite as regularly this time. Worked hard, making good runs in both directions whenever he could, and looked more comfortable in a central role once again – even if he wasn’t quite as influential.
Joelinton – 6.5* – Led the line well in the first half, holding the ball up and enjoying a few positive bursts forward with the ball. Bagged an assist for Matty Longstaff after some good play with his back to goal and a clever pass, and would’ve got another if Gayle could finish, taking on a few men and slipping the striker in earlier in the first half. He faded in the second half and cur a frustrated figure at times, but he did much more than Dwight Gayle and was starved of service or support the longer the game went on.
Gayle – 3 – Some decent movement early on, but nowhere near enough quality in the moments that mattered. Had a HUGE chance to make it 0-1 early on but blazed over after some brilliant play from Joelinton put him clean through. General play was also sloppy. Needs to do MUCH more if he wants to get in Bruce’s side more regularly.
SUBS
Atsu – Gave us an extra body in front of Willems to stop us being so overrun down his side. Did very little going forward, but the contest was all but over when he came on.
Yedlin – Played in an unusually advanced role when he came on, playing just off of Joelinton at times. A bizarre move by Bruce but one that gave Almiron a rest.
Krafth – Wasn’t on long enough to make any real comment.
