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Manchester United produced one of their best performances of the season to thrash Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Old Trafford. First half goals from Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney sealed the game.
In the second half, it was all about seeing out the game and the Red Devils did it admirably well. With their rivals slipping, Manchester United may be the biggest winners of the week. Let us look the player ratings:
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10
The Spaniard was a spectator for most of the game as Spurs hardly had a shot at his goal. He did well when he was called to clear the ball from the back and make the one save in the end.
Antonio Valencia – 6/10
Valencia did well to support his attackers on his side and was not required to make many defensive contributions.
Chris Smalling – 7/10
The English centre-half hardly had any defending to do as United had most of the ball. He, however, did well whenever he was called upon. Also he marked the in-form Harry Kane really well. But, his distribution was poor.
Phil Jones – 6/10
He formed a good partnership with Smalling and looked solid at the back. He also came forward to link up well with the attackers.
Daley Blind – 6.5/10
After starting majority of the matches this season in midfield, Blind started as a left-back against Spurs. He did well in his role and offered good support in the attacking half.
Michael Carrick – 8/10
Carrick marked his start to the first team with a goal and an assist. He also looked assured in passing and supported his defenders well.
Ander Herrera – 7/10
He teamed up with Carrick well and dominated the midfield battle. His passing was good and he regularly tracked back to help Carrick while defending.
Juan Mata – 6.5/10
Mata made a rare start in the team. He did link up well with the attackers with his movements and passing. However, he did not do anything noteworthy to justify his claim for a regular starting berth.
Maroune Fellaini – 8.5/10 (Man of the match)
Fellaini's ressurgence under Van Gaal has been one of the top stories of the season. He carried on the great form to score the opener with a well taken finish and it was from his rebound shot that Carrick scored the second. Also he was a constant threat with his heading prowess and his ability to find himself in space.
Ashley Young – 7/10
He carried his recent great form in this match with another impressive performance. Walker found it difficult to keep him at bay on his side.
Wayne Rooney – 8/10
The Manchester United captain killed the match with a fantastic solo goal late in the first half. This was Rooney's fourth goal in his last four appearances.
Substitutes
Andreas Pereira (77') – 5/10
Pereira came into the field just to see out the game which was his Premier League debut.
Radamel Falcao (83') – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Rafael Da Silva (87') – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris – 6/10
The French international cannot be blamed for any of United's goals. He otherwise did well whenever he was called upon.
Kyle Walker – 5/10
He was struggling to keep pace with the impressive Ashley Young. He was given a torrid time by the Manchester United winger.
Erik Dier – 5/10
The young center half had a difficult game due to United's aggressive pressing. Rooney beat him quite easily to score the third goal.
Jan Vertonghen – 6/10
He looked the most assured out of the Spurs’ defenders. With the exception of a few odd moments, he looked composed at back.
Danny Rose – 5/10
He found it really difficult to hold his flank against Valencia. He did a make good interception in the first half when Mata was all set to score. Otherwise, he struggled to make a mark in the game.
Nabil Bentaleb – 5/10
He gave the ball to Rooney from which the English captain scored United’s third goal of the match. He found it difficult to win the midfield battle against the impressive Fellaini.
Ryan Mason – 5/10
He had a rather poor outing as he, alongside with his midfield partner, were dominated by the Manchester United midfield. He was taken off in the second half after failing to shake off a knock.
Andy Townsend – 4/10
He hardly got involved in the match before being replaced by Mauricio Pochettino at the half-hour mark due to tactical reasons.
Christian Eriksen – 5/10
With United having the majority of the ball, Eriksen was a spectator for most of the game. He hardly did anything when he got the ball.
Nacer Chadli – 5/10
He hardly had any chance or space to create a noteworthy opening in the match. He neither tracked back to help his defenders well.
Harry Kane – 6/10
Kane found it difficult to hold the ball on his own up-front as most of the Spurs players preferred to sit deep in their own half, instead of supporting him. He did manage to finally hit Spurs’ only shot on target near the end.
Substitutes
Moussa Dembele (31') – 5/10
He helped in Spurs having more possession in the middle of the park after the early onslaught they witnessed.
Erik Lamela (64') – 5/10
He was brought on to inject pace into the game, but he was unable to do that.
Emmanuel Adebayaor (79') – N/A
Hardly any time to make an impact.
