'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
David De Gea: 5.5
Was a spectator for most of the game and wasn’t tested at all. Again at fault for parrying Gerrard’s shot right into the path of Sturridge, the same way he did against Newcastle.
Rafael: 7
One of United’s most improved players. Was fully in control of his right wing in both attack and defense. Did unbelievably well as he managed to keep his footing and get away a brilliant pass for Van Persie’s backheel and would be disappointed that it wasn’t finished off.
Patrice Evra: 7.5
Picked out an incisive cross/pass for Van Persie’s goal. Rose brilliantly to head in Van Persie’s freekick onto Vidic as it went in to goal and was harshly denied of its plaudits but awarded with another assist. Was solid defensively.
Kept Suarez in check and did not fall for his nutmegs and trickery. Had more trouble with Sturridge but pulled through, marshalling his defense.
Nemanja Vidic: 6.5
Got himself a goal after knowing nothing of it as Evra headed it onto him as it went in to goal. Worked well with Ferdinand, reviving their old partnership to keep Suarez at bay. Was replaced by Smalling with 10 minutes remaining.
Michael Carrick: 7.5
Was up against Gerrard and came out top most of the time. Put up a confident performance again with his increasingly impressive partnership with Cleverley. Distributed the ball well and was always available for a pass. Showed excellent vision as he thrust the ball in attack.
Ashley Young: 5.5
Showed his usual work rate as he helped out the defense. Was kept quiet on the attacking side. Took a hefty knock on the knee early in the first half but carried on till the end of the first half and was replaced by Valencia.
Danny Welbeck: 7
In a word – industrious. Ran all over the pitch and defended so very well. Has to work on his finishing as he had two good opportunities in the first half. Used his strength allied with his pace to keep Liverpool on their toes all the time.
Tom Cleverley: 6.5
Went close to scoring as tried a difficult shot on the half volley. Did the dirty work with his one touch pass and move and allowed Carrick to pull the strings. Did a lot more running in the second half as Liverpool were really threatening.
Was found in the right position with a brilliant run and coolly slotted it home. Could have doubled the lead but it was a rare occasion where his finishing was found wanting as he shot over. Had his backheel cleared off the line by Skrtel. It was also from his free-kick that United scored their second.
Was sloppy in possession on many occasions but ran all over and contributed all round. Couldn’t manage to finish the ricochet off Van Persie’s backheel. Was replaced by Jones with 15 minutes remaining.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Antonio Valencia: 6
Showed why he wasn’t starting with his performance. Lacked sharp decision making and made it tougher on him many a time.
Phil Jones: 6
Came on to add another defensive option on the pitch to see the game out.
Chris Smalling: N/A
Came on for about 10 minutes to bolster the defense.
Pepe Reina: 6
Did well to save Kagawa’s curled shot. Caught Van Persie’s second back flick that could have decided the game. Couldn’t do anything about the two that went past him.
Glen Johnson: 5.5
Allowed the shortest man, Evra, to head past him. Made a needless challenge on him to earn a yellow card as he was already going down. Lucky to be on the pitch after bringing Valencia down.
Daniel Agger: 7
Made a great block to deny an almost certain goal by Welbeck. Made many vital tackles and interceptions. Ran with the ball on many occasions, contributing to the attack. Was booked in the dying minutes of the game.
Martin Skrtel: 6.5
Cleared off Kagawa’s attempt as he clashed with Reina. Could have been sent off for bringing down Welbeck if it wasn’t for Reina. The foul led to United’s second. Was more assured in the second half.
Andre Wisdom: 5.5
Didn’t close Evra down fast enough as his cross caused the first goal. Should have scored after clever play by Suarez. Wasn’t very assured in defense.
Wasn’t afforded any space as he was constantly closed down by Carrick and Cleverley. Was unnaturally sloppy in the first half but was pivotal in the attack in the second. His shot caused De Gea to parry the ball straight to Sturridge.
Lucas: 5
Earned a yellow card after clipping Young. Didn’t work well with Gerrard and was substituted at half-time.
Joe Allen: 4.5
Was constantly caught out of possession and was outmuscled off the ball when he got it. Came off for Henderson with 10 minutes remaining.
Luis Suárez: 6.5
Seemed to try too much in the first half as he tried his infamous nutmeg too often but just couldn’t pull it out as he was faced by a resilient Ferdinand and Vidic. Was more alive as Sturridge came on as he dropped deeper to link up with him.
Stewart Downing: 6
Was tidy in possession and whipped in a few crosses with no one at the end of it. Didn’t attack much but defended well.
Raheem Sterling: 5
Was starved of possession and was kept in check by United’s fullbacks. Didn’t affect the game much and was subbed off for Borini on the hour.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Daniel Sturridge: 7
Showed a predatory instinct to get past Evra and latch onto De Gea’s parry and slot it coolly. Could have equalized after some fantastic work by Suarez in the box. Kept the Old Trafford crowd on their toes till the end.
Fabio Borini: 6
Came on for an ineffective Sterling and almost scored. Gave away possession a little but was involved when Liverpool were in the ascendency.
Jordan Henderson: 6
Showed an energetic performance in midfield and defended well.
