PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Manchester United: Player Ratings

Luciano Narsingh
Memphis Depay goal Man Utd PSV
Memphis Depay scored the only goal for Manchester United against old club PSV Eindhoven

Manchester United

David De Gea – 6

Confident and steady when called upon but the Spaniard had absolutely no chance with both of PSV’s goals. The first goal from Moreno took a deflection off Daley Blind, unsettling the United No.1 and the second goal from Narsingh was too well placed a header to save.

Matteo Darmian – 5.5

It wasn’t the Italian’s best performance in the red of Manchester. Darmian’s lapse in concentration higher up the pitch resulted in a swift counter-attack from PSV that saw the ball end in the back of the net.

Chris Smalling – 6.5

Acting captain in the absence of Wayne Rooney, Smalling capped off yet another fine display continuing his rich vein of form since the start of the season. He tested Zoet in the first half after somehow finding himself at the other end of the pitch. The England international’s only noticeable dip in the game came in the form of a miscommunication with Darmian that led to PSV’s second goal.

Daley Blind – 6

With the boos of thousands of PSV fans reverberating in his ears because of his links with Ajax, Blind was forced to shift to left-back after Shaw was stretchered off the pitch. He provided the assist for Memphis’ goal in the first half.

Luke Shaw – 6.5

Perhaps United’s most dangerous attacking threat in the opening 15 minutes, Luke Shaw made a strong run inside the PSV box before meeting Moreno’s horror tackle that ended his game, and quite possibly his season.

Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6

European football veteran Schweinsteiger made a strong start to the game, dominating possession, spraying passes all across the midfield but gradually faded away as the game progressed. He also gave the ball away sloppily on more than one occasion. The German international’s delightful ball over PSV’s defence to find Juan Mata was one of the very few instances where he showed his true class.

Ander Herrera – 6

With Juan Mata starting in the no.10 position, Ander Herrera was deployed in a deep-lying midfield role. The Spaniard looked rather inhibited paying so deep and never quite got hold of PSV’s midfield. After trying a few shots from long range, the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder was hauled off the pitch with 15 minutes left.

Ashley Young – 6

Young managed to cause a few problems to the PSV full backs with his pace, but the final end product was missing. The former Villa winger was taken off in favour of Antonio Valencia in the 86th minute.

Juan Mata – 6

Starting in the no.10 role, a lot was expected from Juan Mata. Apart from a few important through balls to Memphis cutting from the left flank, Mata’s overall game was disappointing. He failed to control a delightful lofted pass from Schweinsteiger that could have and should have resulted in a goal for the Old Trafford outfit.

Mata Martial
Juan Mata and Anthony Martial were unable to make a significant impact on the game

Memphis Depay – 7

Manchester United’s best player on the pitch, Memphis played a good game on a personal level against his former club. The Dutch international weaved his way past the PSV defence to give United the lead in the first half and posed a constant threat throughout the game. He should have scored again shortly after his opener, but his shot went wide off the goal.

Anthony Martial – 6

Martial tried and tried again throughout the game but to no avail. The Frenchman lacked support from the midfield and never did receive any quality service into the box. He battled for the ball all across the final third and even though his perseverance was admirable, it was’nt enough for United to take anything out of the game.

Substitutes

Marcos Rojo – 5.5

He came on for the injured Shaw in the first half and immediately settled into the centre-back position forcing Daley Blind to left-back. But the Argentine international looked shaky on the ball and failed to cut out PSV’s second goal.

Marouane Fellaini – 5

Came on for Ander Herrera in the 75th minute and failed to ignite that spark in United’s attack.

Antonio Valencia – N/A

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Edited by Staff Editor