Manchester United made it three wins out of three in the Premier League this season after substitute Marcus Rashford scored the winner for them in the 92nd minute of the match against Hull City. The Tigers held on for majority of the match, but a bit of magic from Wayne Rooney on the left flank and a darting run from the United academy graduate meant that the Red Devils took home all three points.
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A match in which United were left frustrated by the rock solid defence of the home team, saw Curtis Davies playing his heart out, however, it was just not meant to be for the Tigers as United ran away with the three points.
Here’s how each player fared in the match.
Hull City
Eldin Jakupovic – 7/10
The Bosnia and Herzegovina shot-stopper had a good match and made a total of seven saves, his positioning was good as well. However, he was helpless as United converted the constant pressure into a goal in dying embers of the match.
Andrew Robertson – 6/10
Robertson showed his prowess while going forward, however, Antonio Valencia troubled him a lot on the flanks and ultimately he was not able to keep a clean sheet, which the Tigers had planned for.
Curtis Davies – 8/10
Probably the best player on the pitch, Davies put in a hell of a shift to keep the United attackers at bay. He made some brilliant blocks and executed some great tackles, also, tried his best to not give Zlatan any sort of space so that the Swede can hurt the Tigers. In spite of all the good effort, the Englishman was not able to take home a clean sheet.
Jake Livermore – 6.5/10
Livermore partnered up well with Davies and made some decent clearances. Though Martial and Ibrahimovic troubled him here and there, he managed to keep the composure for majority of the encounter.
Ahmed El Mohamady – 6/10
El Mohamady managed to keep Martial at bay for most of the match. However, he was tricked by Rooney in the 92nd minute, which led to the United winner.
David Meyler – 6/10
Meyler tried his best in the middle of the park and held off the threat posed by Juan Mata. However, he did not do much going forward.
Sam Clucas – 6.5/10
Stationed in the middle of the park for Hull City, Clucas ran his hearts out and didn’t allow Pogba to dictate terms like the Frenchman would have liked to. He made sure that he does not leave his backline stranded and shielded them well.
Tom Huddlestone – 6/10
Huddlestone made a couple of good challenges here and there, but was not allowed to venture forward due to the constant pressure which United had exerted on the Tigers.
Adama Valentin Diomande – 6.5/10
Diomande was full of running and provided good cover to the fullback Robertson. He did make a couple of good runs forward, but there was no end product.
Abel Hernandez - 5/10
Hernandez did not have much to do for majority of the match and the one or two occasions on which he got hold of the ball in the United third, was not able to produce something of substance. He was taken off for Maguire in the 83rd minute.
Robert Snodgrass - 4/10
Snodgrass had a night to forget as after picking up a knock in the first half, he was not able to do much and was taken off minutes after the second half started for Maloney.
Substitutes
Shaun Maloney – 5/10
Maloney was brought in for Snodgrass in the 48th minute and was forced to defend for majority of the time he was on the pitch.
Harry Maguire – N/A
Maguire was brought on for Hernandez in the 83rd minute.
Manchester United
David de Gea – 6/10
With the rain pouring down at the KC Stadium, De Gea did not have much to do in the match other than a couple of punches and saves. He did see the ball miss his goal by a whisker late in the match after a Hull shot was deflected by Eric Bailly.
Luke Shaw – 6.5/10
Since coming back from the horrendous injury, the youngster has made sure that he does not succumb to any sort of pressure and help his attackers whenever he can. Same was the story in this match as he made quite a lot of marauding runs forward and linked up well with Martial.
Daley Blind – 7/10
The Dutchman has proved himself in the unfamiliar centre-back position time and again. He kept Hernandez at bay for most of the match, and the brilliant footballing brain that he has, helped him in starting a number of attacks for United from the back.
Eric Bailly – 8/10
Bailly has been a rock at the back for United this season. He made some crunching tackles today and made sure the Red Devils do not fall to an odd attack or two from the Tigers.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
Another eye-catching performance from the Ecuadorian at the right-back position. The speed and strength which he possesses have made him an instant Mourinho favourite and he proved the gaffer’s decision was right yet again as he was the only player in the team who made the pitch wide and struck in dangerous crosses time and again.
Paul Pogba – 6.5/10
Pogba, as always, looked good on the ball, however, the end product was an issue sometimes. The world’s costliest player struck some stinging shots from outside the box, but they were mainly off target. He started the match well and looked threatening, however, he was left frustrated due to the brilliant defensive performance from the Tigers.
Marouane Fellaini – 7/10
The Belgian has been a revelation under Mourinho in the middle of the park. Made to do most of the defensive work, he kept his cool after getting an early yellow card and made sure he does not repeat the mistakes from his previous seasons at the club.
Anthony Martial – 5.5/10
The French prodigy has had a bit of shaky start to the season. Martial tried a lot to cut back in and trouble the Hull defence but was not able to do so. But considering the fact that he is just 20, he will only get better with time and it won’t be long before the United faithful start singing songs in his praise again.
Wayne Rooney – 6.5/10
After a dodgy first half, the United skipper grew in stature as the match progressed. He shot straight into the hands of Jakupovic early in the match from an easy angle and his passes were not finding the feet of his teammates as well. However, in the latter stages of the match, he showed exactly why he deserves a place in the team and assisted Rashford for the winner as well.
Juan Mata – 6/10
Mata did not have a very good game, but he was not bad as well by any means. He tried his best to cut back on his left foot from the flank and play some through balls and crosses to his teammates. He was taken off for Rashford in the 71st minute.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 6/10
The Swede did not have a great day as he was scrambled for space by the Hull defence. Though his touches and no-look passes were mesmerising as always.
Substitutes
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6.5/10
The Armenian has looked good whenever he has been brought on from the bench by Mourinho. Tonight, he was brought on for Martial in the 60th minute and injected some much-needed creativity in the team.
Marcus Rashford – 7/10
The English prodigy turned the match on its head after being brought on in the 71st minute for Mata. He brought a sense of urgency in the team and also scored the late winner sending Unite fans into delirium.
Chris Smalling – N/A
Smalling was brought on for Rooney in the injury time.
