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Manchester United have developed a massive eight-point lead over their top four rivals Liverpool. After Liverpool lost at the Emirates Stadium, United made the most of it by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at home to gain a grip hold of the coveted top four positions.
After Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney scored, the game seemed to have been over. But, an immediate response through Christian Benteke gave Villa hope. However, a late Herrera goal sealed the three points for the Red Devils. Let us look at how the players performed on the night:
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10
With United dominating, he hardly had anything to do. He, however, did well whenever he was called upon to clear or collect the crosses. He could have done better with Villa's goal.
Antonio Valencia – 6.5
He is thriving in the make-shift right-back role. His overlapping runs provide Manchester United great outlet from the wide area on the right. He also tracks back well while defending.
Phil Jones – 6.5/10
He continued his recent good performances to stay solid at back albeit missing his recent defensive partner Chris Smalling.
Marcos Rojo – 7/10
He formed a good partnership with Jones and looked solid at the back. He also popped forward at every possible occasion. He was unlucky not to score in the first half with his wonder strike.
Daley Blind – 7/10
He provided the assist for United's opener. He offered good support through his flank for the attackers while also defending well.
Michael Carrick – 6/10
It was a typical Carrick performance. He sat in front of his defenders and distributed the ball neat and tidy from the back. He also defended well.
Ander Herrera – 8/10 (Man of the match)
The Spaniard has played a key role in Manchester United's recent good run. He carried on the great work by scoring the first and last goal of the match. He otherwise looked lively on the evening.
Marouane Fellaini – 6.5/10
He was a make-shift striker for most parts of the game and caused panic with his heading prowess. Brad Guzan made a great save to deny him a goal in the second half. He, however, gave the ball away easily.
Juan Mata – 6.5/10
He was not able to lighten the stage as he did against Liverpool in the last match. Nonetheless he did well in his job and linked well with his attackers. He also got an assist for Herrera's second.
Ashley Young – 7/10
He was a constant threat with his pace and trickery. He caused Villa a lot of trouble in the attacking third, while also defending well.
Wayne Rooney – 7/10
He was unlucky not to get a penalty early on in the game. Apart from that, Rooney tried a lot, but nothing worked properly for him. He, however, got on the score sheet with a fantastic second goal. He also played a crucial role in United's third.
Substitutes
Angel Di Maria (70') – 6/10
It was from his cross, Rooney scored United's second. But, he was not able to keep up the same level throughout his time on the pitch.
Rademel Falcao (77') – 5/10
He hardly had many minutes to make amendments and offered little in his cameo.
Aston Villa
Brad Guzan – 7/10
He looked assured between the sticks. He looked solid in collecting or punching the crosses and also saved the shots well. He could not have done much with the goals his side conceded.
Alan Hutton – 5/10
With United dominating, he hardly had many chances to surge forward like he usually does, but he defended well.
Jores Okore - 6/10
He looked solid in defence and organized his back-line well. However, he could have closed down Herrera better for the opening goal.
Ciaran Clark – 6/10
He was lucky not to give an early penalty for a foul on Rooney. Otherwise he defended well and looked assured at the back.
Matthew Lowton – 5/10
He had a torrid time against the overlapping runs of Valencia and hence, could not make many forward runs.
Charles N'Zogbia – 5/10
He looked weak while defending and was not able to make a telling contribution in the final third.
Carlos Sanchez – 5/10
He offered good support for his defenders by sitting in front of them and marked Fellaini well. But, hardly made a notable contribution in the attacking third.
Fabian Delph – 6/10
He wasn't at his usual best, nonetheless he produced a tireless performance. He defended well and went forward at every possible occasion.
Andreas Weimann – 6/10
United found it difficult with his pace. He, however, couldn't make the most of it as his final ball was not good.
Christian Benteke – 7/10
Benteke has made it two in two against Manchester United this season. He scored a second-half goal to give Villa hope. His physical presence was hot to handle for United defenders.
Gabriel Agbonlahor – 5/10
He did Villa's main job of defending well, but was unable to create much in attack.
Substitutes
L Bacuna (46') – 5/10
He struggled against Young and did not go forward, just like his replacement.
N Baker (61') – 6/10
He did help his defenders well after coming on. But couldn't go forward on enough occasions to trouble the United full backs.
Joe Cole (77') – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
