Queens Park Rangers vs Manchester United – Player ratings

Manchester United players celebrate a goal

United finally registered their first Premier League victory of 2015 after they beat QPR 2-0 on Saturday night. The Reds started the match poorly with yet another average first-half display. However, the Reds play improved in the second half and they managed to score two goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson to register only their third away victory of the season.

Let us look at how the players performed on the night:

Queens Park Rangers

Robert Green – 7/10

He kept Falcao out with two brilliant saves in both the halves. He could not do much with the goals as both were well-taken goals by United attackers. Apart from it, Green did an effective job whenever he was called upon.

Mauricio Isla – 6/10

He defended reasonably well in the first half and supported his attackers well on that flank. But, he faded away in the second half and earned a booking.

Richard Dunne – 7/10

He did a good job at the back of the defence by holding the backline for his team. He was a real leader at the back of QPR’s defence until he was taken off with an injury.

Nedum Onuoha – 6/10

Strong and powerful defensive display at the back of the QPR’s defense. However, he faded away after United took the lead in the second half.

Clint Hill – 6/10

Just like many QPR players he had a good first half. But after United took the lead, he lost his composure in the second half.

Eduardo Vargas – 6/10

He was QPR’s main attacking outlet on the night. He was a constant threat for United defenders. However, his final ball let him down on more than one occasion. Especially in the second half when United were caught three versus two at the back, Vargas failed to pick a teammate in United’s penalty box.

Joey Barton – 5/10

He helped his backline well with his good defensive displays. However, he failed to contribute much in the attacking third. He was also lucky not to concede a penalty for a trip on Rooney.

Karl Henry – 5/10

As QPR’s priority was defending in the match, Henry did the main job well in terms of defending. But, just like Barton he failed to contribute much in the attacking half.

Leroy Fer – 5/10

He caused United few problems in set-piece situations with his big physical presence. However, his shooting was wayward at times and he hardly had any impact in the final third.

Charlie Austin – 7/10

The in-form striker could have had a goal or two if not for De Gea’s brilliance. He held the ball really well up front on his own and led the teams attack well. However, he faded away in the second half.

Bobby Zamora – 6/10

He used his physical abilities really well to hold the play up front. However, he failed to have any real contribution in the opposite half.

Substitutes

Steven Caulker (46’) – 5/10

Did a fine job after coming in the second half as a substitute. He was also used as a good attacking outlet in the final minutes when he was played up front as a striker.

Adel Taarabt (70’) – 5/10

He was brought in the second half to inject more pace into the game, but Taarabt never fulfilled his managers wish. He was never able to make any sort of an impact in the match.

Niko Kranjcar (80’) – 5/10

He did better than Taarabt after coming on as a second-half substitute with providing good deliveries into the box. But was unable to change the team’s fortune.

Manchester United

David De Gea – 7/10

De Gea was again at his usual best with a couple of great saves in the match. He did a good job whenever he was called upon for clearances or distributing from the back.

Phil Jones – 6/10

He defended reasonably well in the back. However, his distribution was poor as he gave the ball away on many occasions.

Johnny Evans – 6/10

The Northern Irish defender produced a solid performance at the back of United’s defence. However, he was taken off in the second half to bring on an extra attacker.

Marcos Rojo – 6/10

He was solid at the back of United’s defence. Except for that one mix up with Carrick, he otherwise defended well at the back. His distribution however needs to improve.

Antonio Valencia – 7/10

Valencia was a constant threat on the right-hand side. He surged forward time and again. He also did a good job defensively.

Michael Carrick – 7/10

Carrick had a slow start to the game. Despite seeing most of the ball in the first half, he was unable to do much with it. However, his game improved in the second half and he was more involved with the teams build up play.

Juan Mata – 5/10

Except for that one great diagonal cross from which he picked Falcao in the first half, Mata hardly had any impact in the match. He was replaced for Fellaini at the half-time break.

Wayne Rooney – 7/10

Just like many United players, he had a less than impressive first half. However, when United played with more purpose in the second half, Rooney got a lot involved in the game and played a crucial part in the opening goal.

Daley Blind – 6/10

He defended okay and supported his attackers well on the left flank.

Angel Di Maria – 7/10

The Argentine struggled on his own up front in the first half. However, his display in the second half improved when he played behind the strikers. Also his crossing into the box was also good in the match.

Radamel Falcao – 4/10 (Flop of the Match)

It’s unsure whether Van Gaal will pay the 40 million transfer fee to make his loan move into a permanent one. After seeing the way he played against QPR, it is unlikely the Dutchman will make Falcao’s move into a permanent one. He never looked like scoring as he missed chance after chance throughout the match. With Wilson among the goals, it’s unlikely that Falcao will get many more chances to prove himself in a United jersey.

Substitutes

Marouane Fellaini (45’) – 8/10 (Man of the match)

Just like against West Bromwich Albion, Fellaini made a great impact after coming on as a half-time substitute. He scored from a good strike to open the deadlock. He was also a constant threat in the opposing box with his physical presence.

James Wilson (56’) – 7.5/10

He was another substitute who repaid his manager’s belief in him with a solid performance. He was a constant threat for QPR with his pace. He finally grabbed his first goal of the season with a well-taken goal.

Ander Herrera (90’) – N/A

Hardly had any time to make an impact in the match.