Manchester United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion: Player Ratings

Jesse Lingard scored the opening goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over west Brom

Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. A first goal for Manchester United for Jesse Lingard and a late penalty for Juan Mata secured all the three points for United as they kept the pace with the league leaders at the top of the league table, with 24 points from 12 games.

Here are the player ratings from the game.

Manchester United

David De Gea – 7

Assured and composed, it was an excellent outing from the Spanish international. He was never really troubled by the Baggies. But he failed to reach a cross into the box which could have cost his team. Overall he was calm and his usual self and did well to keep his fifth clean sheet in a row.

Ashley Young - 6

He was troubled by Sessegnon at right-back and was shown a yellow, forcing United manager Louis van Gaal to take his charge off the pitch in the second half. He worked hard to help in attack but was marked well by Brunt and Sessegnon. Not the best of games for the Englishman.

Chris Smalling – 7

Cultured and solid at the back, the big man made it difficult for the likes of Rondon and, later, Lambert to get past him. He never looked nervous coming up against Rondon’s physicality and footwork on most occasions but did well to ensure a clean sheet.

Daley Blind – 7

One of the first names on the United team sheets under Van Gaal, Blind played yet another aggressive, yet assured performance game at the back. He made a few crucial headed clearances out of the box and together with Smalling, kept the West Brom attackers in check.

Marcos Rojo – 6.5

He made some good marauding runs down the left wing but was booked in the second half. He looked a little edgy on the tackles, hence was taken off by Van Gaal and replaced by debutant Jackson.

Michael Carrick – 7

The experienced United man showed better tempo on the ball in the first half and got forward a little more than Schweinsteiger. He was up against a disciplined midfield and did well to deny Yacob or Fletcher much space to channel their attack from the middle.

Bastian Schweinsteiger – 7

The German worked hard and tirelessly alongside Carrick to deny former United player Fletcher and Yacob any space in the middle. He controlled the tempo of the game very well and always looked to play quick forward passes.

Juan Mata – 8

Like other Spaniards in the league, he has been in terrific form. Although he missed a great opportunity to get on the score sheet after curling his shot wide in the first half, he kept the ball well throughout the game, initiating United’s attacks. He finally scored with a penalty late into second half added time.

Wayne Rooney – 7

Rooney quite possibly played one of his better games of the season but was not rewarded. He played well for the most part but could not create anything worthy of a goal. He helped his team in keeping the ball and passed well along with Mata and Martial.

Jesse Lingard – 9

A man of the match performance from the youngster. He was instrumental in each and every one of United’s attacks in the second half. He opened the scoring with a sublime finish. and could have added more to his tally. Lingard has replaced Depay well and added to his assist from midweek with a first goal.

Anthony Martial – 7

Martial was easily one of the best players on the pitch in the game. He stretched the West Brom back line with his pace and looked all the more dangerous running at them. Martial was fouled by Gareth McAuley – an offense which earned the Northern Ireland international a red card – and Mata netted from the spot.

Substitutes

Phil Jones – 6

Jones came on for Ashley Young in the 62nd minute and he was calm and composed, assured United of the win and the threat of McClean on the left.

Ander Herrera – 6

He had little time on the pitch and was dispossessed on multiple occasions. But he did provided the ball which released Martial, which eventually led to the penalty.

Cameron Borthwich-Jackson – N/A

West Bromwich Albion

Boaz Myhill – 6.5

His kicking was poor throughout the game and he could have done little to stop the two goals. He stopped United and Martial well in the first half and read the crosses well. He has been the reason for West Brom’s good defensive record.

Craig Dawson – 7

He had a dodgy couple of minutes in the first half when he almost gifted United with a chance to score after giving the ball away. He was also booked for a challenge on Lingard. Overall, he did well to keep United’s attackers quiet and provided great crosses late in the second half.

Gareth McAuley – 6

He was seen providing a calming presence when on the ball and used his veteran head to organize West Brom’s defensive positioning as well as offside traps. However, he let himself down when he tripped Martial inside the box late into added time and was sent off for his challenge.

Jonny Evans – 7.5

He was his team’s best player on the pitch and played well against his former side. He was instrumental in stopping Lingard from scoring in the first half when he made a great block in the box after Dawson had given away the ball to Rooney. It was great positional play from the Englishman at the centre back position as he took command at the back and stopped United from getting into the final third.

Chris Brunt – 5.5

He was poor on the day and misplaced his passes in the first half which could have led to goals. Like Dawson, he lacked positional sense at times but did well to keep Mata and Young quiet for most parts of the game.

Stephane Sessegnon - 7

He was the only link between the defence and Rondon. He made some runs down the right wing for West Brom, but his crosses were not met by his teammates in good areas. Sessegnon was the main hope for West Brom to score as when he had possession, he made things happen for the away side.

James Morrison – 6

Morrison looked haggard, unfit and terribly off the pace. Along with Fletcher, he formed a very stagnant and limited West Brom midfield that failed to register its dominance on the pitch, often getting overrun by their opposite numbers. He did create some opportunities with his free-kicks but was taken off to be replaced by Saido Berahino in the 72nd minute.

Claudio Yacob – 7

Yacob made some outstanding challenges in the middle of the pitch. He was vigilantly positioned in front of his defence to stop United from scoring and blocked potential passes meant for the feet of Rooney and Martial.

Darren Fletcher – 6

Fletcher was a mere pedestrian as the game passed him by. He failed to outsmart Carrick and Schweinsteiger in midfield and did nothing to get forward and help in attack. Quite possibly West Brom’s lowly player on the pitch when he could have created more and pressed his opponents to regain possession.

James McClean – 6.5

He rarely saw possession in an attacking capacity but was a threat when he did manage to get onto the ball. He made some quick runs and showed quick feet which troubled Ashley Young in the first half. He also sent in some teasing crosses to the back post.

Salomon Rondon – 6

The new signing was terribly isolated for most parts of the game but showed glimpses of what he is capable of. His immaculate pace and strength was on display against Blind but, unfortunately, he could not produce anything worthy in attack.

Substitutes

Saido Berahino – 5.5

He came on for James Morrison as a double substitution in the 72nd minute and missed a sitter of a header from six yards out just two minutes after coming on.

Ricky Lambert – 5.5

Lambert came on for Saloman Rondon but he did not produce much and could not do anything to turn the game around.

Callum McManaman – N/A

Edited by Staff Editor