EFL Cup 2016-17: Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City: Player Ratings

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City (L) and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United (R) share a joke prior to kick off during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho avenged Pep Guardiola’s win against his team back in September

Manchester United progressed into the last eight of the EFL Cup with a 1-0 victory over rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. This victory will be sweeter as it comes after a disappointing week for the Red Devils as the manager, Jose Mourinho has come under a lot of fire for the humbling defeat at Chelsea.

Juan Mata scored the winner for United in the second half as both teams made a number of changes from their weekend lineups.

City made nine changes while United made just four as Mourinho fielded a much stronger side as compared to the reserved of Manchester City. Guardiola suffered yet another loss as his team is now six games without a victory which is his worst ever record. Let's take a look at the player ratings from the Manchester derby :


Manchester United

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Michael Carrick of Manchester United reacts to his side winning, after the final whistle during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Carrick was at his usual best against rivals City

David De Gea: 6.5

The Spaniard didn't have much to do as City failed to create any clear-cut chances. He was confident in his box and his distribution was also decent as he racked up yet another clean sheet.

Antonio Valencia: 6

Valencia has improved immensely under the Portuguese manager and his forward going ability was on display against the Citizens. He was rarely put in pressure by Leroy Sane as he delivered yet another impressive performance.

Marcos Rojo: 6.5

One of the Argentine's best displays in a United shirt as he replaced the injured Eric Bailly in the side. With Chris Smalling being given a rest, Rojo stepped up to the occasion as he made a brilliant last-ditch tackle on Kelechi Iheanacho.

Daley Blind: 6

He looked more assured in a centre-back role than he looked at left-back against Chelsea. The Dutchman has a great game sense and it showed on the pitch as he gave a decent performance even when the likes of Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling came on in the second half.

Luke Shaw: 5

The youngster returned to the starting lineup but looked a little short of match fitness. He was bullied by Jesus Navas on the right wing but stood his ground with some important tackles late in the game.

Michael Carrick: 7

Captain on the night, Carrick looked calm and composed in the middle. He dictated the proceedings of the game and was hardly under any pressure from City players.

Ander Herrera: 7.5

The Spaniard has become a favourite for the manager and also the supporters as he is repaying that faith on the pitch with yet another brilliant performance. He played a huge role in the winning goal, showing great strength against Fernando in the build up.

Paul Pogba : 5

The Frenchman hardly had an influence on the game as he missed a glorious chance to put United ahead. He was booked in the second half as his poor form continued.

Marcus Rashford : 7.5

One of United's best forward players on the night as the youngster asked questions to City's defence regularly. He was more than a handful for Maffeo and the young City full-back failed to keep Rashford's pace in check.

Juan Mata : 7

United seldom lose when Mata starts and it was the story yet again as the man who was expected to have a hard time under Mourinho is being now portrayed as the manager's first option. He slotted home the winner calmly and to take his team through.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic : 5

Another disappointing showing for the Swede as Jamie Carragher even called his first 45 minutes the worst of Ibra’s career. He missed a number of opportunities and cut a lonely figure up front for the Red Devils.

Substitutes

Morgan Schneiderlin: 6

He played the last 15 minutes decently as United saw off some resistance from City to close out the game.

Jesse Lingard: 5.5

The youngster did his job well and had a fine little cameo for United.

Manchester City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City (C) and his Manchester City team mates show dejection after the final whistle during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Aguero could not bring City back into the game after coming on in the second half

Willy Caballero: 6.5

City's second choice keeper made a stunning save to stop Pogba from scoring in the first half and looked assured with his feet. He looked a safer bet than Bravo between the posts for Guardiola's team.

Pablo Maffeo: 5

The youngster was given a tough time by Rashford as he could not handle the United forward’s pace and was also guilty of being caught out of position on many occasions.

Nicolas Otamendi: 5.5

He had a decent first half but was exposed time after time in the second half. He also made some untimely tackles, struggling once Kompany went off.

Vincent Kompany: 6

The captain was brilliant in the first half as he negated every threat from the towering Ibrahimovic. An injury caused him to leave the pitch at half time as City suffered without their captain.

Gael Clichy: 5.5

He was decent defensively but failed to go forward and provide support for Leroy Sane on the left flank.

Fernando: 6

He did nothing wrong in the game except for the goal in which he was outmuscled by Ander Herrera. The much stronger Brazilian should really have done better against the smaller man.

Aleix Garcia: 6.5

Garcia was one of the best players in the first half as he ran the show for City and won numerous freekicks for the away side. He dictated the game and was unlucky to not have gotten a penalty in the first half when Carrick brought him down in the box.

Nolito: 5.5

Another quiet night for the Spaniard showing why Guardiola has taken him out of the starting lineup in recent games. He failed to have any impact on the game as he was substituted after 70 disappointing minutes.

Leroy Sane: 5.5

The youngster could not replicate his good form that he showed against Southampton as he failed to test United's defence whenever he had the ball – which wasn’t all that often.

Kelechi Iheanacho: 5

The youngster missed a glorious chance to put United ahead in the second minute as he endured a tough night against the hosts' strong back line.

Substitutes

Aleksandr Kolarov: 6

He was brought in at half time to replace the injured Kompany and did his defensive job decently. He failed to connect any of his long-range efforts as they sailed over de Gea's goal post.

Raheem Sterling: 6.5

He brought some urgency to City's attack and tested Valencia on the flanks but his final delivery was disappointing .He had a couple of great chances to get City back in the game but couldn’t deliver when it mattered.

Sergio Aguero: 5

He has now gone six games without scoring for City as he looked off the pace after being brought on after the break.

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