Manchester United vs Liverpool: Player Ratings

David De Gea blocks Raheem Sterling’s shot on goal

In what was widely expected to be a closely contested match, Manchester United absoluelty trounced Liverpool at Old Trafford by a scoreline of 3-0, with Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin Van Persie scoring for the Red Devils.

We take a look at how each player fared in this highly anticipated clash, which turned out to be pretty much a one-sided affair.

Manchester United

David de Gea (Man of the Match):

De Gea was once again rock-solid below the bars, making more than half a dozen amazing stops. After denying Sterling twice early on, De Gea then stopped couple of brilliant strikes from Balotelli in the second half, when a goal for Liverpool could have opened up the match. Easily the man of the match, despite United scoring thrice.

Rating: 10/10

Antonio Valencia:

Valencia has really stepped up to the task in the absence of Rafael. Deployed at right wingback, Valencia did well defensively, making 5 tackles and checking Alberto Moreno’s runs down the left-flank. He also proved his worth upfront, providing that magnificent assist to Rooney’s opener.

Rating: 7.5/10

Phil Jones:

Jones returned straight into the line-up after returning from an injury that kept him out for 7 matches, and therefore looked a bit shaky, getting into the referee’s book for a silly foul. Still managed to make a total of 4 tackles, 6 interceptions and 6 clearances- a decent performance from the 22 year old.

Rating: 6.5/10

Jonny Evans:

Like Jones, Evans also had an average day. In spite of making some decent interceptions and keeping a clean sheet, Evans was beaten a couple of times by Balotelli. He was also booked for a silly foul similar to the one by Jones.

Rating: 6/10

Ashley Young:

Like Valencia, did a reasonable job in the left-wingback role. Young showed his prowess going forward with the cross for Mata’s goal and having been deployed against Liverpool’s right-wing back Henderson, who did not make a lot of forays upfront, Young’s defensive duties were not really called upon.

Rating: 6.5/10

Michael Carrick:

Carrick was his usual calm presence in a further withdrawn role as a part of United’s three man backline. In addition to his defensive contributions, Carrick was spectacular with his distribution with a pass-accuracy of 90.4%.

Rating: 7.5/10

Marouane Fellaini:

Fellaini started the match in an extremely sloppy manner- got booked for an awful tackle, kept making wayward passes and lost out on possession quite a few times. But once he soon settled in, he made amends by putting up a solid display as the physical presence in front of United’s backline, making a total of 10 tackles and winning 3 aerial duels.

Rating: 7/10

Juan Mata:

Mata was one of the most composed players when in possession. Even though he could not control the game as he would have liked to, he scored United’s second of the night, albeit from an offside position and then selflessly set up Van Persie for the third. A good day for the Spaniard.

Rating: 8/10

Wayne Rooney:

Deployed in a more withdrawn role to accommodate Mata in the hole, Rooney made that perfect run to meet Valencia’s ball from the right and slotted home with a spectacular finish. His vision while playing the long balls was exemplary as always with 11 of his 14 long balls finding the target.

Rating: 8/10

Robin van Persie:

With the delicate touch to assist Mata’s goal being his only major contribution in the 1st half, the Dutchman rose to life in the 2nd half, scoring one and going close a couple of other times. Was a constant menace for the Liverpool backline.

Rating: 8/10

James Wilson:

Although he showed great work rate, the youngster could not really create much of an impact. He was subbed of 20 minutes into the 2nd half, but a good learning experience for him.

Rating: 6/10

SUBSTITUTES:

Ander Herrera:

Came on for Wilson with 20 minutes to go, but did not have much to do and therefore failed to create much of an impact.

Rating: 5/10

Radamel Falcao:

Almost set up Van Persie immediately after he came on but the Dutchman was offside. He looked a constant threat whenever the ball was near the Liverpool goal. He would be hoping for more game time in the matches to come.

Rating: 6/10

Paddy McNair:

Came on for Phil Jones in the dying moments of the game. Had no time to create any sort of impact.

Rating: N/A

LIVERPOOL

Brad Jones:

Jones was included instead of the out-of-form Mignolet but could not do much against some really good United attacks Still managed to pull off a couple of good saves, but was nowhere close to the other goalkeeper on the pitch.

Rating: 6/10

Glen Johnson:

Johnson started in an unfamiliar centre back role but was injured and subbed off as early as in the 25th minute, thus failing to create any impact.

Rating: 5/10

Dejan Lovren (Flop of the Match):

Lovren’s horrid time at Liverpool continues as he looked nervous at times and made the costly error leading to Manchester United’s final goal. Yet another poor performance from the Croatian.

Rating: 4/10

Martin Skrtel:

Like his fellow centre-back, Skrtel also looked shaky. His aerial ability was one of his major strengths but this season, he has looked doubtful even in the air. His distribution was better compared to Lovren, with a pass accuracy of 93.6%, but still lost possession cheaply couple of times when he shouldn’t have.

Rating: 6/10

Alberto Moreno:

Moreno was Liverpool’s best player defensively making 6 tackles, but allowed Valencia to overlap and assist the first goal. Liverpool failed to make use of his pace to test Valencia through the left, and was subbed off after 67 minutes, making way for Markovic.

Rating: 6.5/10

Steven Gerrard:

Looked dangerous when on the ball with a shot on goal early on and then delightfully set up Moreno with a long ball through the United backline, but the youngster could not capitalize. Could not inspire his teammates yet again, despite trying hard. Was harshly booked for a tussle with Van Persie.

Rating: 7/10

Jordan Henderson:

Shifted out to a right-wing back role, Henderson did not have much of an influence on the game as he usually does. Showed good work rate, but nothing significant to show at both ends of the pitch.

Rating: 6/10

Joe Allen:

Allen sat in front of the Liverpool backline and made a total of 3 tackles, 2 interceptions and 2 clearances, but had nothing much to show on an attacking context. Was easily beaten in a duel by Valencia, leading to the opening goal.

Rating: 6.5/10

Philippe Coutinho:

The Brazilian put up a disappointing show, especially in the first half. Coutinho was easily dispossessed several times and was wayward with his passes. Improved in the second half, but could not make a breakthrough. Should have been subbed off at half-time instead of Lallana.

Rating: 5/10

Adam Lallana:

As always, Lallana was tireless and set up Sterling on a one-on-one situation with De Gea with a fabulous through ball. It was surprising to see him make way for Balotelli, despite being one of the better players for Liverpool in the first half.

Rating: 7/10

Raheem Sterling:

Sterling was Liverpool’s most dangerous player of the day, getting into goal-scoring positions but the England international should have done better and capitalized on the golden opportunities he received. Looked a tad reluctant to pass the ball and that never helped Liverpool’s case.

Rating: 7.5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Kolo Toure:

Toure came on for Johnson early in the first half and looked more composed than Skrtel and Lovren. He also tried to make couple of darts into the opposition half although without success.

Rating: 6.5/10

Mario Balotelli:

Balotelli came on for Adam Lallana at half time and looked like he found some confidence with a couple of neat strikes only to be denied by the brilliant De Gea. Showed his lack of temperament with a silly foul that got him booked.

Rating: 7/10

Lazar Markovic:

Came on in the 67th minute but could not create any impact.

Rating: 5/10