FA Cup Quarter-Final: Manchester United 2-0 Brighton - Player Ratings

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Nemanja Matic's header ensured victory for the hosts

Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic were on the scoresheet as Manchester United eased into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with the victory over a fighting Brighton side.

The Belgian striker continued his run of good goal-scoring form with a headed goal in the first half from Nemanja Matic's cross. The latter then turned scorer himself, being the first to land a head onto Ashley Young's sumptuous free-kick late in the game to seal progress for Jose Mourinho's side.

Here's a look at the player ratings from the match.


Brighton & Hove Albion

Tim Krul - 6

Krul didn't make a save, the two goals scored being the only ones he faced.

Ezequiel Schelotto - 6

Schelotto had to do the unenviable job of facing Martial and provided little threat going up despite approaching the byline on a couple of instances.

Lewis Dunk - 6.5

Dunk made a number of clearances but was out-muscled and out-run by Lukaku for the latter's goal.

His header from a Brighton corner was saved by Romero.

Shane Duffy - 7

Like Dunk, Duffy also had to make a plethora of clearances and did not do much wrong defensively.

Markus Suttner - 6.5

Suttner provided adequate support from left-back to Locadia who was keen to press up the pitch and take the game to United.

Pascal Gross - 6

Gross linked with March on the right-hand side for Brighton but was unable to find the penetrating pass or cross.

Davy Propper - 6.5

Propper filled in gaps in Brighton's defence to make it difficult for United to break them down.

He won the ball a few times and attempted to get the visitors attacking with a series of good passes.

Beram Kayal - 6.5

The Israeli midfielder went in with a positive mindset. Playing box-to-box, he got the ball forward, attempted to drive it into the box and help create an attack through the middle. However, he was unable to inspire the final product

Solly March - 6

March made a handful of cutting runs from wide, but his final delivery was missing. He saw his powerful shot in the second half palmed away by Romero.

Leonardo Ulloa - 6

Ulloa was starved of service and was tied down by the uncompromising Bailly in the box.

Jurgen Locadia - 7

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Locadia shone for Brighton

Locadia was one of the few forwards who came close to unsettling United's defence.

He made runs across the byline, played balls across the box and was able to get a couple of hits at goal - one narrowly headed over the bar and the other saved by Romero.

Substitutes:

Jose Izquierdo - 6

Izquierdo replaced Marsh to bring fresh legs into the right wing, but he was unable to get the better of Ashley Young.

He was able to get just a solitary cross into the box with his first touch, but it didn't find a Brighton shirt.

Glenn Murray - 5

Murray came on as a like-for-like replacement for Ulloa, but he too hardly saw the ball.

Manchester United

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Romero made some crucial saves in the match

Sergio Romero - 8

Romero made three great saves to deny Dunk, March and Locadia. His overall communication and ball distribution were excellent.

Antonio Valencia - 7

Valencia leaped forward to help his side attack with some good crossing and managed to neutralise the threat of Locadia who was looking dangerous in the early stages of the second half.

Chris Smalling - 7

Smalling got blocks in the way of shots and dealt with Brighton pressure effectively in the second half to come out with a clean sheet.

Eric Bailly - 7

Despite an early error, Bailly redeemed himself with a commanding display, keeping Ulloa in check and resigning the Seagulls to long-range shots.

Luke Shaw - 6

Shaw was wrong-footed a couple of times by some of Brighton's attacking midfielders and did not provide any cross of real quality into the box. He was subbed off at half-time.

Nemanja Matic - 8

Matic was terrific in an advanced role, assisting Lukaku's goal before grabbing one for himself late on with a well-directed header from Young's free-kick.

He did his defensive midfield duties well, getting into positions in between the United defence during periods of Brighton pressure.

Scott McTominay - 7.5

McTominay put in a display of commitment and energy, giving Brighton's midfielders no free space to work with. He did the perfect clean-up job.

Juan Mata - 7

Mata, once again, steered the ship in attack with some thoughtful passing and ball movement around the 18-yard box.

Jesse Lingard - 7

Lingard's passing was decent - feeding his wingers well with releasing balls and keeping attacks alive in the final third.

Anthony Martial - 6.5

Martial made a number of inward approaches and was able to complete one-on-one dribbles. His final pass or cross left a lot to be desired.

Romelu Lukaku - 7.5

Lukaku did the ideal striker's job of finishing off a chance, powerfully heading Matic's cross to put United in front after evading his marker.

He helped his team-mates in defence during set-pieces.

Substitutes:

Ashley Young - 7

Young's signature moment was a delightful free-kick in the 83rd minute that found Matic at the far post.

His defending was brought to examination as the likes of March and Schelotto showed intent in the second half. He managed to come out unscathed.

Marcus Rashford - 6.5

Rashford made a handful of runs down the wing and effectively gave Brighton limited opportunities to get the ball into the opposition half.

Marouane Fellaini - N/A

The Belgian was brought on in the 88th minute.

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Edited by Alan John
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